Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 47, Number 11, Decatur, Adams County, 14 January 1949 — Page 1

,|. XLVII. No. 11.

SENATE COMMITTEE APPROVES ACHESON

fax On Soft rinks Asked b Pay Bonus Bill Introduced To Increase State Aid To Schools In State Indianapolis, Jan. 14 — The India legislature was asked today to L a tax on soft drinks to create fund from which to pay a bonus RVorld War II veterans. |t also was asked to increase |te aid to schools And to enact a L giving old age assistance relents a minimum monthly check |SO from the welfare department, kep. Charles E. Week?, D., (MunI suggested the soft drink levy la house bill introduced this L-ning during short sessions of 186th Indiana general assembly. Jhe senate met for 28 minutes I the house less than an hour I both adjourned until 1 p.m. nday. h the senate. Sen. Clifford FunIburg, R., Huntington, offered a | Ito increase state tuition supIt payments to schools, boosting | state’s responsibili'y for finling the average minimum sails of teachers from an 80 perIt minimum to 100 per cent, junderburg said if his bill became I it would increase the state’s Iments to schools by some $13.1000 a year, based on the distillon of the last fiscal year. Weeks wanted to tax soft drinks the rate of one cent for each 12 Ices sold in the bottle, and one- ■ cents per ounce for syrup usIn making fountain drinks. The I would be levied beginning July Ind the money, including a JI I for permits to sell soft drinks, Lid be set aside for a soldier ns. . lunderburg’s bill would reduce L 35 to 30 the number of pupils I teaching unit, which is the baslor figuring state school aid fund knents. It would amend a sec ion la 1943 law appropriating $39,loon annually from the general k for tuition support, and make r for the appropriation of whatk was needed to pay 100 per cent lhe minimum salaries of teachlep. J. S. Mcßride, D., Brazil, knitted a bill to pay a minimum ISO a month to old persons on | welfare rolls. It also would reI the state lien provisions of the lent welfare act, a controversial Ise already the subject of two Bal bills previously filed in the B assembly. leanwhile, a tug-of-war was go lon between legislators from the Bs and those from the rural ks on the question of reapportpent. [here were nearly half a dozen posed solutions to the problem bow to divide the state so every Pty would have fair representaI lu the Indiana general assemhe la’est of several measures on [ suject was scheduled to be Inlured in the senate today by • -Milford E. Anness, R., from r Metamora in Franklin county. Inness’ proposed resolution [id amend the state constitution provide one senator for every i counties, a total of 46. four less h at present. This would cut [n the represents’ion of large Rtiea,' such as Marion, which iTura To Prcr Flvr) ten-Agers Dance Following Tourney Games Here Tonight I teen-agers dance, for all teenF 8 of the county, will be held |he Decatur high school immed r- v following tonight's session of I county tournament, it was an peed last night. The tournament |c- was moved to tonight because pc increased number able to at pc dance, for which there is no hission charge, will he under the of the Den. Decatur’s th center. The orchestra will he l»lied by Local 607. American leration of Musicians, as a part lhe union's teen age dance proJ1 teen-agers of the coun'y are Ited. The Den will also be open after tourney games are eluded to accomodate the stud 1 not caring to attend the dance.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Paper Collection Saturday Morning Waste paper collection by Decatur Boy Scou.s will be resumed Saturday. The collection, to be made tomorrow by members of Rotary troop 61, will start at 9 o’clock, and residents are asked to have their waste paper, securely bundled, on the cflrbs in order to facilitate the collection. Unemployment In U. $. Heads For New Peak New Postwar Peak In Jobless May Be Reached By Spring Washington, Jan. 14 — (UP) — Government figures indicated today that unemployment may -be heading toward a new postwar peak. The more pessimistic government and labor economists say the number of jobless may reach 4.000,000 this spring. None will predict, however, that the trend forshadows any major trouble for the national economy. And there is a record $7,630,000,000 available in federal funds for unemployment compensation benefits to cushion any drop in jobs. The bureau of employment security said that unemployment claims are higher now than at any time since the 1946 crest, and are rising more rapidly than at that time. All states except Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota and Idaho reported an increase in initial claims for the week ended Jan. 1. This was the fifth consecutive weekly increase. Officials expect another big jump when lest week's figures are compiled. They will reflect layoff of retail workers hired for the Christmas and inventory season. New York sta’e alone added 45,000 for that period. All the federal statistical agencies denied knowledge of a New York report that a federal estimate indicated unemployment might total between 3,500,000 and 4,000,000 persons this spring. Some statisticians said privately, however that "that might be a good guess." Chairman Edwin G. Nourse of President Truman’s economic council said t'he rise in unemployment is spotty. He said it should be quickly reversed when construction activity resumes, when auto industry completes its changeover to new models, and when temporary layoffs in o her industries end. “Unemployment is one thing on which we are keeping a close watch to see that it does not become something for alarm,” Nourse said. The council has recommended use of long-term government projects to take up slack in private industry employment as it may occur. Latest government figures showed 1.941.000 unemployed in December. But initial claims for unemployment conpensation for the <Tur« T» »’■«» Two) AnspaughSpeaker Al Rotary Meeting Photography Talk Given Last Evening A highly entertaining, illustrated talk on professional photography was given by Lawrence "Bud” Anspaugh. local photographer, before members of the Rotary club last evening. Slides of daguerreotypes and some of the first pictures taken on silver metallic plates, were shown by Mr Anspaugh. who also served as an aerial photographer in the Mr. Anspaugh explained that photography made its greatest strides in less than 100 years, although a process of producing J? tures was first Invented in the 16th centurv. With the invention of moving pictures, the greatest progress was made. Included in the slides was the picture taken of Abraham Uncoln and a photo of President and Mrs F D Roosevelt in the White House. Winning prise pictures were also shown by Mr. Anspaugh. The program was in charge of Carl Oerter C. I Finlayson, presi dent, presided

Extension Os Rent Controls Given Go-Ahead Senate Committee Approves Proposal To Extend Control Washington, Jan. 14. —(UP)— President Truman’s proposal to extend rent controls got a quick goahead signal from the senate banking com mi‘tee today. The committee voted to give it No. 1 priority among the administration's idea for fighting inflation. Present rent controls expire March 31. Committee, chairman Burnet R. Maybank, D„ S. C.. named a special subcommittee to begin hearings as soon as it can on a bil) 'by Sen. Francis J. Myers. D., Pa., to put the date forward 27 months. Mr. Truman had suggested a two-year extension. The subcommittee, headed by Sen. John J. Sparkman, D., Ala., also Will work on a bill by seven Democratic senators to finance cons’ruction of 10-50,000 new rental units in the next seven years. Sparkman's group in addition to studying Myers' rent bill also wil] examine the administration's legislative proposals on the subject when they are received. He said hearings probably will start after the inaugural week- end. Other Congressional developments: Small business—The senate banking committee voted to try to close down the special senate committee on small busines. Chairman Maybank said he would propose that small business matters be assigned to a banking subcommittee. He raid that would get rid of "duplication." The special committee's powers end Feb. 1 unless the senate extends them. Controls—Rep. Albert M. Cole, R„ Kan., offered a bill to extend for two years the voluntary agreements which allocate scarce commodities affecting the cost of living. Th e present agreements are scheduled to expire March 1. Wages—Rep. Isidore Dollinger, D„ N. Y„ proposed a bill to raise minimum wages from 40 cents to $1 an hour. Mr. Truman had proposed raising it to 75 cents. Investigations—The senate's executive expenditures committee asked all the 17 investigators of its super investigating subcommittee to hand in resignations so it could have a free hand in reorganizing. Sen. Clyde E. Hoey. D., N. C., probably will be the subcommittee's chairman, succeeding Sen. Homer Ferguson, R., Mich. Exports—Congress put the heat on foreign aid boss Paul G. Hoff(Turn To Plvr> Six War Criminals Hanged In Germany Die For Torture, Murder Os Fliers Landsberg, Jan. 14. —(UP) — Six German war criminals were hanged by the U. S. army today for the i torture and murder of captured; allied fliers during the war. The hangings were carried out after both an army review board and a special commission had reviewed the original sentences One condemned man, Franz Wei,’, a former German army sergeant accused of shooting down a captured American flier in cold blood, was reprieved, at least temporarily, at the last moment. An army announcement said Weiss had been excused from the gallows today “for reconsideration of his case" by Gen. Lucius D. Clay. This will be the fourth review of his case since he was sentenced. Weiss was one of six defendants originally sentenced to death whose cases were reviewed by a special commission. The commission recommended that their sentences be commuted to life imprisonment Despite this. Weiss was the only one to escape death today The other five went to the gallows as originally sentenced. The death sentence of the seventh man on the original Uat.| Hans Merbach. was confirmed by an army review board and the special commission did not reconsider his case.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Friday, January 14,1949

‘Stalin’ Arrested, Then Let Go r I IrSIBr .. ISmL JL-J 1 POLICE ARRESTED John Despol (middle) in Los Angeles a minute or so after this picture was taken, charging him with violating a city ordinance forbidding masquerading. But they had to let him go when it was discovered the arrest took place on federal property. The Stalin-mask pickets are anti-Reds demonstrating against other pickets who gathered to protest federal grand jury probe of Communism in the Los Angeles area.

Warn Flood Dangers From Melting Snow I Temperatures Rise Throughout Nation By United Press Rising temperatures threatened ’ today to melt the heavy blanket of snow from last week's blizzard and send floods racing down Nebraska rivers against communities still re--1 covering from the storm. Another “mild” storm swept into • the midwest from the southwest but the weather bureau said most of the country would enjoy clear or partly cloudy weather. Top temperature readings of 35 I to 45 were predicted for Nebraska today, and the Red Cross in Lincoln , warned Jhat flood might occur along sections of the Elkhorn, . Platte, and Republican rivers. . Scottsbluff, where melting snow already has backed up some water. , also may be in for floods, authorities said. Gov. Vai Peterson said that the ' 10th air force, called to Nebraska | to aid snow-bound communities, is staying in the state, prepared for any emergency caused by bounding temperatures. The situation at the Pine Ridge, , S. D., reservation, where 9.000 Indians were in distress from lack of food and fuel, was “more promising." Supt. Claude Powers said that snow plows cleared roads to the reservation and a helicopter flew in a doctor to treat dysentery cases. Illness was reported spreading among the Indians, and powers said that rescue parties expected to find considerable distress at Potato creek and along the road from Wounded Knee to Rockyford. The outlook for southern California continued wet. Showers were forecast for that area, northern Texas. Oklahoma, and Missouri. (Turn To Fnge Two) Odom's Flight To New York Halted j Plane Forced Down At Oakland, Calif. Oakland. Cal.. Jan. 14.-4UP)-I Capt. Bill Odom today hoped for i another chance to fly non-stop from Hawaii to New York, not content with the world light-plane distance record he set before wind and weather forced him to land here last night. The lanky. 29-year-old round-the world speed flier turned back when he ran into icing conditions and stiff headwinds over the high I Sierras. He already had completed a hazardous 2.900-mile oyerwater flight from Honolulu. Odom brought his scarlet and silver Beechcraft Bonaza “Waikiki Beach" down on the runway at Oakland airport at 8:37 p.m. CST. after 22 hours of continuous flying, part of it through a turbulent thunderstorm between Hawaii and the mainland. Although he covered about 2.90 v . miles before ice and dwindling fuel brought the flight to an end. under international air rules he will be credited only with the 2.400 miles from Honolulu to Oakland That (Turu Tu F«<» Twul

Urge Concessioners Reserve Space Early Local organizations and individuals who desire concession space at the 1949 street fair have been asked to contact Robert Helm, concession chairman, before March The 'fair is scheduled for the last week in July. It was also announced that the Gooding amusement company, of 1 Columbus, 0., has again been con- ‘ tracted to provide lhe rides and sideshows at the 1949 fair. Two new rides, previously thought too 1 elaborate for installation at any- ; thing smaller than a state fair, ; will be in operation this year, it was learned. Egyptians, Jews Continue Confabs Negotiations For Armistice Pressed Rhode?, Jan. 14—(UP)—Egyptians and Jews pressed ahead with armistice negotiations today after approving a four-point agenda in their first historic meeting across the conference table under ; United Nations auspices. The sweeping agenda committed both parties to thresh out step by step all military problems connected with the Negev, to reach an armistice agreement and to place their initials on it. Dr. Ralph Bunche, acting Palestine mediator who is supervising the talks, announced the success of the first day’s meeting. He coupled it with an appeal to all nations to avoid any incidents that might jeopardize the discussions. Bunche’s appeal was directed not only to the Jews and Arabs but also to Britain and the United States as well as Russia—alh nations vitally interested in the outcome of the Palestine conflict. “I have in mind not only the government directly involved in these negotiations or in the Pales tine conflict, but those as well whose interests impel them io keep a close surveillance on developments in the area," Bunche said. The agenda, as adopted in the first joint conference yesterday afternoon: 1. Assurances as regards military offensives and national security. 2. implementation of United Nations security council resolutions of Nov. 4 and Nov. 16. including: a) Fa'uja; b) delineation of armistice lines; cl withdrawal iTani To Parr Flvr) Over 250 Attend Electrical School More than 250 Adams county res idents at’ended two showings of the rural electrical school Thursday in Decatur and Berne, and the school's sponsors today registered elation at the project's success. Lee McConnell and Miss Margaret Buchan, both of the Indiana and Michigan Electric company, anl Walt Disney cartoon on the development of lighting combined to inform the audiences of the better and more efficient methods of wir ing.

Votes Unanimously For Confirmation To Head U. S. State Department

Parking Meters In Operation Monday Police Instructed To Start Operation The board of works and safety ' of Decatur has authorized police officers to place parking meters into operation in th e business section Monday morning, January 17, at 8 o'clock. One hour meters are located on Second street and twohour meters are located on Monroe and Madison streets between First and Third streets. The meters will require the proper deposits from 8 o'clock in the morning until 6 o’clock at night Monday through Friday; and the deposits are required on Saturday nights until 9 o’clock. No deposit is necessary to park on Sundays and holidays. The requirements are on each meter. Meters also are loca’ed on parts of Liberty Way between Second and Third streets. A space for 10minute parking in front of the post office remains unchanged and there also are 13 spaces on the north side of Liberty Way near Third street, which are said to be j reserved for county officials and employes. Mayor John Doan said that because of weather conditions, space marking on Madison street and Liberty Way has not been comple’ed. but the meters are set for (parallel parking at 21-foot inter- ! vals and angle parking around the court house with 10-foot spaces. The mayor is asking for the cooperation of the public until guide lines are placed in these spaces. The board again issued a reminder that the meters operate on pennies and nickels only and cautioned that dimes will not reg- , ister in the meters, but will slip through and cannot be recovered by the motorist. — Mrs. Louise Witte Dies This Morning Funeral Services Sunday Afternoon iMrs. Louise Witte, 75, wife of the late William Witte, died at 1:10 o'clock this morning at her home in Preble township, nine miles northwest of Decatur. Death followed an illness of three weeks of complications. She was born in Preble township March 21, 1873, a daughter of William and Elizabeth Werling, and was married to William Witte Nov. 8. 1894. Her husband died May 9. 1926. She was a member of the Fried heim Lutheran church. Surviving are four datigh ers Mrs. Emma Meyer and Mrs Marion Werling. tvoth of Ossian. Airs. Anna Bradmueller and Mrs. Martha Weber, both of Fort Wayne; four sons. Paul of Ossian. Wilhelm and Alvin, both of Preble township. and August ot Root township; 35 grandchildren; three greatgrandchildren; two brothers, Wil Ham Werling of Fort Wayne and Gottlieb of Preble township, and three sisters. Mrs. Anna Nahrwald of Fort Wayne, Mrs. Her man Selking of Hoagland and Miss Elizabeth Werling of Preble township. One brother and one sister are deceased Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p m. Sunday at the home and at 2 o’clock at the Friedheim Lutheran church, the Rev. E. T. Schmidtke officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The body will be removed from the Zwick funeral home to the residence, where friends may call after 7:20 o'clock this evening. WEATHER Cloudy south and partly cloudy north portion tonight: Saturday mostly cloudy followed by rain or drizzle Saturday night Somewhat warmer Saturday.

Chinese Red Forces Storm I Info Tientsin American Consulate Reported Damaged By Shellfire Today Nanking, Jan. 14.—(UP)— The Chinese Communist radio claimed tonight that Red forces stormed into Tientsin, the great port city of north China, at noon today after an all-out assault which began two hours earlier. The Communist broadcast did not claim complete capture of the city of 2,000.000 which is the port ! of Peiping, ancient capital of China which now is encircled by Red armies, but it said the Communist troops were "rapidly exploiting their successes." (Shanghai reports said that efforts to reach Tientsin by telephone have been unsuccessful since this morning, and that the Shanghai radiophone control room ! said that all Tientsin connections 1 had been broken at noon). The Communist radio gave no ’ details of the fighting, beyond ’ claiming that Red forces had enter--1 ed the city proper. They have been ’ in the suburbs for some two weeks, ’ and frequently have lobbed shells into the city. The all-out storming of the city began a 24 hour Communist ceasefire during which the Nationalist defenders were offered an opportunity to lay down their arms and surrender the city, the Commun ist broadcast said. It said that the ceasefire order: was announced to a four-man dele-, gation of the Tientsin city coun cil which went to Communist head j quarters seeking terms for sur-' render. The Communist commander told the delegation, the broadcast said, that the Red forces were anxious to avoid damaging the important city, and that government troops would be guaranteed the security of their lives and of property in the city if they laid down their arms. Consulate Damaged Washington, Jan. 14.—(UP)— The American consulate in Tientsin, China, was damaged by Communist shellfire today, the state department said it has been informed. The department was told that a shell also caused a “terrific explosion" at the Shell Oil company installation in the Chinese city which the Chinese Communists claim to have stormed. Consul general Robert L. Smyth. (Turn Tn V<nrr Two) School Bus Drivers Warned By Sheriff Arrests Driver For Running Stop Sign Arrest of a Root township school bus driver for failure to observe a stop sign late Thursday drew a stern warning from sheriff Herman Bowman today directed at all school bus drivers in the county. Herbert Boerger, of Decatur route 3. was arrested at the intersection of the Piqua and Bellmont roads north of tlje city. Boerger told the sheriff he ran the stop sign because he was behind sched ule. Sheriff Bowman declared. “When we put the lives and safety of our children in the hands of a school bus driver we expect him to observe the law. Parents and citizens in general won't stand for traffic violations by school bus drivers We will arrest ail others who are charged with skirting the law" Boerger's arrest was the first of i its kind of the school year, al though several auto drivers who , passed school busses have been arrested. He will be arraigned in justice of the peace court here at 9 o'clock Saturday morning.

Price Four Cents

Acheson Asserts Communism Fatal To Free Peoples And Governments Washington, Jan. 14 — (UP) — The senate foreign relations committee voted unanimously today to confirm Dean Acheson to be secretary of state after hearing him assert that “aggressive” Communism is "fatal” to free governments and people. The committee heard the 55-year-old diplomat in secret session this morning and then took the unusual step of releasing one paragraph of Acheson's testimony. It quoted Acheson as saying: "It is my view that Communism as a doctrine is economically fatal to a free society and to human rights and fundamental freedoms. Communism as an aggressive factor in world conquest is fatal to independent governments and to free peoples." That bald sta'ement was an an- ■ swer to critics of Acheson who had said he maintained a “soft" attitude toward Russia. Acheson's nomination probably will be taken up on the senate floor Tuesday and quick and overwhelmI 7 I ing confirmation is expected. He will succeed the ailing Gen. George Jc. Marshall and will take over his II new post on Jan. 20, the day Pres- . i ident Truman is inaugurated. The committee action came after Acheson submitted to two hours of secret questioning about his foreign policy views. The action in releasing a portion of Acheson's secret testimony was , almost unique in committee anj nuals. It was given to reporters by ; committee chairman Tom Connally, I who added that members had disI cussed “intimate and delicate prob- ; lems of foreign relations." The committee vote of 13 to 6 i found the eight Democrat mem I hers and five Republican senators in complete support of Acheson. Connally indicated to reporters that other delicate subjects were discussed with the incoming secretary. Before the session Sen. Alexander Wiley. R.. Wis.. and other committee members said they planned to question Acheson as to whether he would shun agreements which might in some way commit American troops to fight in Europe without congressional action. No portion of Acheson's testimony on this score was released. Connally said he would ask senate leaders to clear Acheson's nomination for confirmation on Tuesday. The unanimous vote forecast an overwhelming vote in the full senate to confirm the 55-year-old diplomat. Acheson was named by President Truman to succeed the ailing George E. Marshall, soldier-states-man who is convalescing at his (Turn Tn l‘ng<- Five) Auto License Plate Sales Will Open In City Next Monday The 1949 auto license plate sale will he opened at the Decatur office Monday morning. Jan. 17. it was announced today by Mrs. Charles Lose, bureau manager, following a meeting held in Indianapolis Thursday. Auto owners are warned that they must have tax receipts before license plates can be issued by the bureau. These tax receipts, either property, personal or poll, must be presen ed with applications for elates and there can lie no deviation from the rule. Mrs. Lose warned.%Owners are also required to present titles to the cars for which they require the plates. The Decatur license bureau is located in the rear of the south side of the Schafer store on North Second street. The bureau observes the same opening hours as the store. 8:30 am. to 5 pm. daily, excep' Thursday, when it is closed at 12 noon. The bureau will be tu'ly staffed at all timet, including the dinner hour, Mrs. Lose stated.