Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 47, Number 113, Decatur, Adams County, 13 May 1949 — Page 1

lIVII. No. 113.

IFTING OF BLOCKADES TERMED SUCCESS

■an Rejects 4iproweOn ILon Declares He Not Accept A Ci Compromise ■ta May 13 ~ Truman says he will not compromise ■■alerllH'nniian gave this assurance nut, wil i c h will be published Trainmen News,” weekly RKion of 'he Brotherhood of / Trainmen, next Monday. A made it public today. the letter May 4 to A. n tne y. brotherhood presij/ was the day a conilw\ iai,or bi " tirafte(i by a<l ' leaders was defeated \ \\ leaders are working on compromise, designed to of more southern They hope to bring vote month. president's letter made HU- they do not have his hiesV. he would veto a waterV n repeal bill—if one is pass- ■— Hie house and senate—reEH to he seen. But he told HUey that: ''the compromisers I as I was. sure they |K and they never had any whatever for me.” congressional developSome of President TruK) staunchest congressional Jk rejected his renewed P Uftt for a M.OIli),000,000 tax k They said they don't think 1 Hr r un,ry can Btantl a tax « n ’ W Spokesmen for three veturged ratification of ■■North Atlantic pact. The . were the veterans of forthe American veterans War 11, and the Jewish pay—The house armed committee approved a bill IMse the pay of all but the lowenlisted men in the services. tax increase controversy r > the President with few articHM stipp .t-ters. Some members tax-writing house ways and "f committee said privately the national economy can't stand the strain of now. administration supporter ■M there is a "growing fear” Icommittee1 committee members that a 00s i might set off a psychoreaction which would lead serious depression. Democrat said that Mr. himself has been advised congressmen are against in the face of a “de- ■ I (Turn To l> ntF H» e) for Veterans t * Boves Are Available “Du’ch" Ehinger, has antbat flags f° r soldiers’ M* are available at the Amerihome in Decatur. Mr. pfr bas requested that all perto receive the flags j|| tbein immediately so that can be placed on the graves t 0 Decoration day. Wotur Residence ■Robbed Thursday | r?lars stole $75 in cash and * from the Milton P. Swearresidence, 90] Xorth Thlrd Thursday between 1 and 2 * as 'h® second breakin at °® e *ithin the month. 1 OUSe was entere d through *, nv°*’ “ 18 belleved - Besides personal P a P ers ’ere «Be S’”. The nrst entry ™ t „/ v° r 5 ' wben a small *• i °* cban Ke was stolen. City E inTMt| M>ing. )Bve nile girls, one nine, the Z I |i n , Con k ,eßSed t 0 clty Police ? Q sol * l in Coins from ' Sn ” tl<y residence. 946 - Poi ice j|’ aMl! onjngj^ urther . lL.ro ■ JXi su t ,eniflht: wid * J - i*ow •bowers or thund- ■ Cloud? T* porti « n: P» rt ’ ■ y a, ’ d c «'»r Saturday.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Memorial Speaker K ■ The Rev. A. C. E. Gillander, pastor of the First Presbyterian church in this city, will deliver the address at annual Memorial Day services in Decatur Monday, May 30. Plan Memorial Day Service On May 30 Vets' Organizations To Sponsor Services Plans were announced today for the annual Memorial Day ceremonies which will be held in Decatur Monday morning. May 30. The annual services for the holiday, dedicated to the nation’s war dead, will be sponsored by the local servicemen’s organizations, the American Legion and the -Veterans of Foreign Wars. The holiday ceremonies will open at J am., with services at the grave of a serviceman in each of the DeTatur cemeteries. The American Legion will conduct the service at the Catholic cemetery, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars at the Decatur cemetery. At 10 o’clock, the veterans' organizations will combine for a parade to the Monroe street bridge, where ceremonies will be held in honor of the naval dead. The parade, led by the Decatur Catholic high school band, will then return to the war memorial on the court house lawn, where the dead of four wars, the Civil War, Spanish-American War. and World Wars I and 11, will be honored. The Rev. A. C. E. Gillander, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, and chaplain of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post, will deliver the memorial address on the theme, “For What Did You Die, My Comrade?” Children of all schools will be invited to participate in the parade.

Commissioners To Meet Here Monday The county commissioners will meet Monday to allow a number of surveyor’s claims held up for more than a year, pending a decision of the state board of accounts. The sta’.e board has communicated approval to county auditor Thurman Drew and the board will make the formal study of the claims at the Monday meeting and approve all that are in order. Mrs. Roy Kalver To Head 6irl Scouts Named President Os Local Association Mrs. Roy Kalver was elected president of the Decatur Girl Scout association in the annual meeting, held Thursday at the Decatur high school. She succeeds Mrs. Gerald. Strickler, who becomes second vice- president. Other officers elected include: Mrs. James Burk, first vice-presi-j dent; Mrs. Ernest Uhrick. treasurer; Mrs. Don Jefferies, secretary. Nominating committee: Mrs. Maynard Hetrick. Mrs. Vincent Bormann. Mrs. Ronald Parrish ] Day camp chairman: Mrs. R C. ( Hersh. . Members-at-large: Mrs. Ralph Yager. Mrs. Doyle Collier. Mrs. A. R. Holthouse. Mrs. A. C. E Gillander, Mrs. L E. Linn. Training committee chairman 1 Mrs. Sylvester Everhart. Organisation chairman: Mrs Lowell Harper. Program chairman: Mrs. Robert I Bonekemper.

Agree To Talk New Coal Pad Starling May 25 Lewis, Moody Agree To Open Negotiation In West Virginia Washington, May 13 — (UP) — John L. Lewis and Joseph E. Moody, president of the Southern Coal Producers Association, agreed today to begin negotiations on a new soft coal contract in Bluefield, W. Va„ on May 25. The sonthem association represents about one-third of the industry. There has been no decision on time and place of the northern negotiations which set the pattern for the bulk of soft coal fields. The agreement on southern negations which sesepnae adetimog gotiations climaxed four weeks of dickering between Moody and Lewis, president of the United Mine Workers. Lewis had suggested Bluefield, but he had suggested June 6 as the opening date. Moody later protested that housing accomodations would be short in the small West Virginia city. Today they said in a joint statement that miners and operators each will have eight representatives present at the contract talks which will begin at 11 a. m. (EST) at the Hotel West Virginian on May 25. The existing soft coal contract which covers southern mines expires June 30. The northern contract, by its own terms, also expires that day, but Lewis has not yet given the northern coal producers the 60-day termination notice required by the Taft-Hartley act. Hence it may be that the northern agreement will remain legally in effect despite the Jun" 30. expiration date carried on the contract. In the southern case, Moody gave the required notice and later asked for separate negotiations for his southern producers. Lewis then proposed Bluefield on June 6. Moody countered with the observation that housing would be short because of a state Elks convention convening in the West Virginia (Turn To I’noe Five!

Truck Weight Law Is Held Constitutional Official Opinion By Attorney General Indianapolis, May 13—(UP)— A new Indiana truck weight law under which some truckers have been fined thousands of dollars each for overloads was held constitutional today by the state attorney general. Attorney general J. Emmett MeManamon issued an official opinion to state police supt. Arthur M. Thurston saying he could find nothing "unconstitutional or unreasonable” in the law. , The law, enacted by the 1949 legislature, sets up a scale of mandatory fines based on the number of pounds above allowable weight a truck is found to be carrying. McManamon also drew up a sample affidavit form under which state police could make arrests. The law allows a total weight of truck shipments on Indiana highways of 72,000 pounds. Truckers carrying 77.000 pounds and up are liable for fines at a rate of 10 cents a pound for each overweight pound. Several truckers in various parts of Indiana have been arrested for truck weight violations since the act became law upon governor Schricker’s signature ‘last March.! Some of them have paid heavy’ fines. Fair Premium Book Is Given To Printer The premium book and 4-H catalog. issued prior to the Decatur free street fair and agricultural show, has gone to the printer and will be in Adams county homes at least two weeks before the 1949 fair opens July 25. it was announced today by street fair officials. The week’s program as not yet been officially completed, but will be submitted to the printers in a few days and will be included in the catalog.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Friday, May 13, 1949.

Foley Is Candidate I Hansel Foley, well-known Adams county high school principal, today announced his candidacy for the post of county superintendent of schools. A superintendent will be elected June 6 for a four-year term. Mr. Foley is the only announced candidate at present.

Foley Candidate To Head County Schools Monmouth Principal First To Announce Hansel Foley, Monmouth high school principal and a veteran Adams county school principal and teacher, today announced his candidacy for the post of county superintendent of schools. The 12 township trustees will name the superintendent Monday, June 6, for a fouryear term. Mr. Foley has been principal of Kirkland. Pleasant Mills and Monmouth high schools during the past 20 years, and he also has taught in several Adams county schools. At the present time there are six. Deny>crat and six Republican trustees and in case of a tie vote on the matter of selecting a county superintendent, county auditor Thurman Drew will cast the deciding vote. Mr. Drew also is a Democrat, giving that party a J-6 edge. The only candidate to announce his intentions so far, Mr. Foley Is a native of.Adams county and received his higher education at Indiana University and Ball State teachers college. The Foleys reside at Preble and have one son, who is a student at Decatur high school. L. L. Hann, present superintendent, whose second term expires in August, has not announced it he will be a candidate for reelection. Mr. Hann was elected both times when the Republican party had a majority of the trustees.

Highway Head Talks Al Rotary Meeting Conditions Os Roads Discussed By Sauer Phil Sauer, superintendent of the Adams county highway department, presented an Interesting picture of the condition of the county's roads at the weekly meeting of the Decatur Rotary club Thursday evening. The highway head related how highways, including federal, state and county, have taken a terrific pounding from traffic throughout the past several years, and that funds for proper repair and t ebuildIng of the roads are not adequate for proper improvement. Mr. Sauer has 726 miles of road under his supervision in the county, and the only money available for highway work is that obtained through gasoline and motor vehicle taxes. The road supervisor pointed out that highways were originally built, particularly the county roads, during the horse and buggy days, and were not constructed to withstand the terrific pounding of automobile traffic, particularly the heavily loaded trucks. A heavy toll of the nation's highway system was taken during the recent war. the speaker pointed out, when great volumes ot war materials were transported over the roads, and work on the highways was disrupted due to the lack of manpower and shortage of time to keep the roads in first dase condition. Will Schnept was chairman of the program.

Omaha Lawyer Is Chosen As Navy Secretary Francis« Matthews Truman Choice For Secretary Os Navy Washington. May 13—(UP)— The White House today announced that President Truman has selected Francis P. Matthews, Omaha lawyer and banker, to be secretary of navy. Matthews, 62, was picked to succeed John L. Sullivan who resigned in protest against cancellation of navy plans to build a 65,000t0n air craft carrier. Matthews has no army or navy service background, but he served on President Truman’s committee on civil rights in 1946. He is a leader in Catholic affairs and for merly was supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus. He is a Democrat. The White House declined to discuss his role in the last election campaign. Jonathan Daniels. North Carolina editor, was offered the navy post recently by Mr. Truman, but after some consideration, Daniels turned it down. During the war, Matthews served as an official of‘ the national war fund, the united service organizations and the board on war prisoner’s aid. He received the medal for merit in 1946. He has been active for years in civic and educational affairs, heading the Omaha Chamber of Commerce and community chest. He was chairman of the Douglas county Democratic central committee from 1932 to 1936. Matthews was invited to Washington several days ago to discuss the post and Is here now. He is one of the owners of radio station WOW in Omaha. Matthews has held a number of important Catholic lay positions, having been knighted by the Pope and having served as supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus, the top job in that order. He was born in Albion, Neb., in 1887. He holds degrees from Creighton University and Marquette University, and is now chairman of the board of regents of Creighton.

Commons Approves New Atlantic Pad Overwhelming Vote Is Cast For Treaty London, May 13— (UP) —The house of commons overrode minority communist and leftwing labor objections last night and ratified the Atlantic pact by the overwhelming vote of 333 to 6. The vote was taken after British foreign secretary Ernest Bavin told the house that the strength given western nations by the pact had staved off the possibility ot war with Russia. The situation now is better, Bevin said in debate, so much so that "extreme and violent actions by the Soviets now are on the wane." in 1947 things "looked pretty bad.” Bevin said, due to a Soviet policy which he described as "talking peace and accusing others of warmongering and creating unrest." Russia’s “provocative speeches and general attitude of denunciation were adopted at every meeting as a result of aggressive intent." Bevin said. "The situation, if allowed to continue. would inevitably have led ultimately to war for there would have come a moment when the rest of the world would hifVe reacted violently," he said. Ratification of the pact was opposed by communist Philip Piratin, who charged that American aggressive designs were revealed by the presence of atom bomb planes in England. Konni Zilliacus, leftwing laborite. also opposed the pact on grounds that it was inconsistent with the United Nations. Opposition leader Winston Chur chill again stated hie belief that the possession of the atomic bomb by the United States had given the west time to unite and prepare for self defense.

Gen. Clay's Statement Refutes Soviet Charges Os Breaking Agreement

No Signs Os Selliement In Ford Dispute President Os Union Returns To Parley On Ford Walkout Detroit, May 13-(UP)-Walter P. Reuther, president of the CIO United Auto Workers, returned to the bargaining table today as negotiators sought a settlement of the Ford Motor Co. strike for the fourth day. There was no indication that a settlement was near as Reuther returned from a one-day ’conference with CIO president Philip Murray in Pittsburgh to lead the UAW delegation. Ford continued to snub the union's request that negotiations on a new contract between the company and the UAW begin Monday. Observers belie,ved Ford would refuse to discuss the contract renewal until the present dispute over the speed of assembly lines at the two struck plants is settled. The union is demanding com-pany-financed SIOO monthly pensions for workers with 25 years experience at 60 years of age, health and welfare insurance, and a broad program of social security benefits. It also has asked a wage increase "sufficient to restore buying power to the OPA level.” Talks broke up yesterday with neither side commenting, except to say that no settlement had been reached. The absence of Reuther, who conferred with Murray on “other matters," made any decisive action in the two-hour session almost impossible. More than 100,000 workers were idle because of the eight-day walkout, which threatens to shut down every Ford assembly plant in the nation by Monday and force more thousands off their jobs in Ford supplier plants.

Safety Campaign To Start Here Monday Daily Awards To Be Given In Campaign AU plans have been completed for the Decatur safety campaign, which will start Monday and extend over a two-week period, it was announced today by officers and directors of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, sponsor of the project. An automobile driver and pedestrian each will receive an award daily during the campaign, it was Innounced. The driver will receive $5 in cash and the pedestrian will receive $5 in trade at a Decatur retail store. Both awards will be made daily. A number of local people have been named to select the winner each day and award cards will be distributed at the Dally Democrat office. When a person is selected for the award, he will be given a card, to be presented to the Daily Democrat office. The only requirement is that the card be presented on the same day the award is made. City and county law enforcement officials are cooperating in the drive to make Decatur safe for motorists and pedestrians and cross walks at corners will be painted, in an effort to educate pedestrians to cross the streets at corners. A total of $l3O in cash and trade coupons will be awarded during the drive. These awards have been contributed by local retail stores and insurance dealers. BULLETIN Vatican City, May 13-(UP) —The Vatican radio said today that Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty, imprisoned Catholic primate of Hungary, was "critically ill and losing his mind."

Heads Bankers v ■ ■ Wb i "I Elmer W. Baumgartner, president of the First Bank of Berne, was elevated to the presidency of the Indiana Bankers Association at the closing session of the annual convention Thursday at Indianapolis.

Berne Banker Heads Slate Association Elmer Baumgartner Is Named President Elmer Baumgartner, president of the First Bank of Berne, was elevated tot the presidency of the Indiana Bankers Association, at the close of the state convention in Indianapolis yesterday. A former vice-president, Mr. Baumgartner succeeds Herbert C. Morrison, president of the Elston Bank. Evansville, treasurer. Don fordsville. Other new officers are Lee L. Matthews, president of American Trust company, South Bend, vicepresident; Elmer Halwes, vicepresident of Citizens National Bank, Evansville, treasurer. Oon E. Warrick Is executive manager of the association. With many years of service, Mr. Baumgartner is a former cashier of the First Bank of Berne. Three years ago he was elected president of the banking house, recognized as one of the outstanding smaller banks In the state. A leading citizen and civic worker, Mr. Baumgartner is nationally, known as a layman of the Menno(Turn To Tage Four)

Hear! Attack Fatal To Mrs. Wilkinson Funeral Services Monday Afternoon Mrs. Minervia Wilkinson. 88. widow of the late John Wilkinson, died of a heart attack as she was walking through a corridor at the Adams county home at 6 o’clock Thursday evening. Mrs. Wilkinson had resided at the county home for the past two ' years. Apparently in good health. I she had partaken of the evening meal and was walking to her room when seized by the fatal attack. A member of a well known Decatur family, Mrs. Wilkinson was born in Blanchester, Ohio, December 26. 1860, a daughter of Emanuel and Jane Elzey Woods. Her father was a road contractor in this city. She was a ’member of the American Legion auxiliary. Surviving is one son. Warren Wilkinson of this efty. One son. four brothers and one sister are deceased. Four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren also survive. The body was moved to the Black funeral home, where friends may call after 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon, wtfh Dr Gerald Jonee. pastor of the First Methodist church, officiating. Burial will be in the D’catur ceme tery.

Price Four Cents

Retiring Military Governor Satisfied Os Good Faith In Ending Blockades Berlin, May 13 —(UP) — Gen. Lucius D. Clay pronounced the lifting of the German blockades a success today, thus refuting Soviet charges that the western powers failed to live up to their part of the agreement. The retiring U. S military governor said in a final press conference that he was satisfied “there was good faith on both sides” in putting into effect the four power agreement removing the Soviet blockade of Berlin and related restrictions. Both Russia and the western powers have kept their promises to lift regulations aimed at blockading each other. Clay said. He spoke after the Soviets, through their official organ here, had accused the western big three of failing to erase completely their counter-blockade of the Soviet zone. "There are always technicalities to be resolved," Clay said, “but nothing of a serious nature has arisen.” Among the technicalities he mentioned was the shaking down ot the present application of an agreement for shipment of iron, coal and steel from western Germany to the Soviet zone. The agreement expired during the blockade. U. S. officials admitted that they had not given in to Soviet demands for shipment under terms of the outdated agreement. The Soviets, through the Taegliche Rundschau, said the western powers were evading implementation of the provision on “an unsound pretext." It said the four-power agreement for removal of the blockade "cannot be fulfilled on the part of the Soviets alone.” Clay refused to say whether he believed a united Germany would emerge from the big four meeting in Paris, or wheiher the foreign ministers would come to any agreement there. He said the Russian willingness to discuss German problems made an agreement "a better bet" now than a few months ago. The Paris meeting might result in a revival of trade between east and west Europe, he said.

Clay emphasized that there would be no early withdrawal of U. S. troops from Germany, even though the Russians might propose a complete evacuation of occupation troops at the Paris meeting. The Soviet accusation was made as western sector German police announced they had arrested 11 persons for distributing Soviet 1 zone newspapers in the British sector, creating the first east-west friction in Berlin’s post-blockade holiday mood. Those arrested were released early in the day after having been held all night, the police said. Apparently no charge was placed [ against them. With the lifting of the blockade, I Soviet zone officials announced ithat western publications would ■ be permitted to circulate freely in their sector. American authorities then lifted the ban on Soviet publications in the American sector, but no action has yet been taken by British and French officials. Meanwhile, a traffic report from Helmstedt covering the first day of unrestricted travel said that 11 ; trains, 36 vehicles and 1.223 pedestrians had crossed the Soviet-Brit-ish zone frontier. Seventy-three | persons tried to cross illegally and were turned back or arrested. Truck traffic also continued to roll from Berlin westward into the western zones. Even while the traffic rolled, I however, the airlift continued. American officials in Frankfurt announced that airlift planes chalked up their fourth largest day in history yesterday, bringing in 9.M7 tons of supplies in 1.008 flights. Newspaper Office To Be Closed At Noon Beginning tomorrow, the Daily Democrat office will close at 1 o'clock each Saturday afternoon during the summer months. Saturday issues of tbs Daily Democrat ' may be purchased at either of the two Decatur newsstands.