Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 47, Number 302, Decatur, Adams County, 24 December 1949 — Page 1

■hLVII No. 302.

IATIOK BEGINS TO COUNT HOLIDAY DEAD

•A Prepared H Christmas Siday Here Christmas Is Sen As Possibility Weatherman » P:l th«rman in cooperating holidays by predicting a Christmas to climax the B I parties, preparations, and for the yuletide sea‘Bl- K and colder" Ik predicted day. according to quotes of the weather whose prognosticating k hits the mark. ~ Hte will be many youths in in* K7 y and county who will hope j- Ik correct in pre- «*■ colder weather — at least youths due to receive sled* skates from the bewhiskerin the red suit. cold wave that hit Decatur the temperature below is due to continue and ys lower over the weekend. "* were bundled and walk faster along Second and few were stopping too pass the time of day; but |Khriuiiias spirit was con■to and everyone was wishing J ■> the greetings of the season p kids than ever before." the Ailanu theater Friday according to Roy KaiI co-sponsor of the annual mas party with the Decatur f. post Following the apnre of Santa Claus and movI cartoons and comedies, members passed out treats children moved single file |Ht the theater. will he the annual teenMonday evening in the Legion home, sponsored legion and the Den. The is furnishing the music, ,< ■»■(> begins at 9 o'clock, and the t [ten supplying the super Will be holiday services eve and Christmas ' most of the churches. ■ city and county governwill lie suspended from Satnoon until Tuesday morn police units, however, of the city and government will r s duty, though in hopes of ' nothing to do to mar anyholiday Most business will j H both days. |Ktrift and Mrs. Bowman will sheriff's parents. Mr ■ Mrs Van Bowman, of near h!s brother, from Napo|K Ml< h . and sister, frbm Berne, '“■guests In the sheriffs apart st the county Jail for Christ- ■ dinner At the present there prisoners In jail who will »>Hi turkey dinner "with all the ** along with the BowBa "I hope that is all there ■ tw too." the sheriff said, "but ■ hard to tell with Saturday and all.” Bowman will spend this in a wheel chair, his s ■ leg bound In a cast from a re |K ! aperation, lie stated that he ’"■wed he would be able to get ■ tTusw Tw Pane Ftvet White Christmas For ■iy Few Hoosiers Dec 24. - (I’Pl - weather bureau revises! its ■“*« today and said only a feu ■*w» would have a while ■* white Christmas Is out for ■*ni and southern Indiana. sa.d K* weatherman Paul A Miller he predicted snow would --■‘*’ most of Indiana by Sunday for today and ioaLih* ’ ■ Predicted as fair and warmer KF "creasing cloudiness tomorjW*t>'i rain tomorrow night, tbe *JK“ b *r bureau said The bureau ’K* ,h *' temperatures tomorrow ■*' would stay above freezing K* *• freezing rain 1... WEATHER fair Miy and to l-B** pertly cloudy flurries ewtrsme K** Colder extreme ’ KCT* *•"*•** Tomorrow IndAAtd.aaae sad we SOSgOe W www’*'*Bß wvvw JW by rata by night. **■» » to 30 north. 35 ■ * Lew tonight II to ■ a to 80 south

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Espionage Charged To Robert Vogeler Hungary Charges American As Spy Budapest, Hungary, Dec. 24 — (UP) —The Hungarian government today charged Roliert C. Vogeler. American executive of the International Telephone and Telegraph company, with espionage, economic sabotage, and “criminal activities." The government reported that Vogeler and a Briton similarly accused “confessed to the charges tinder the weight of written evidence in possession of Hungarian authorities." Vogeler was the second American accused by the Hungarian government within two days. The foreign office yesterday announced that Israel Jacobson, head of the American joint distribution committee office In Hungary, was held on suspicion of spying. Jacobson, nf Rochester. N. Y.. was arrested nine days ago when he crossed the border from Austria into Hungary. Vogeler. of Jackson Heights. N. Y. had been held incommunicado for atuiut five weeks in a Hungarian prison In accusing Vogeler, the interior ministry lodged similar charges against Edgar Sanders. British head of the communications company's Budapest office and a relative of George Sanders, a movie actor. The charges against Vogeler, whose wife and two children have been awaiting him in Vienna, were made public In a formal statement Twelve Hungarians were accused of the same offenses as Vogeler and Sanders. A statement issued by tbe interior ministry said Vogeler and Sanders "huilt up a large scale spying organisation'' and carried out (Tero Te Page Five!

Berne Town Marshal Dies This Morning Heart Attack Fatal To David E. Dubach David E Dubach. 58. prominent Berne man and town marshal there lor the pMt 2<» year*, died at 7:2ti o'clock this morning at his home. 706 West Main street. Berne Dubach suffered the attack Friday afternoon and was removed to his home, where death occurred j this morlnng Although not in the best of health, the marshal had continued bis daily duties. He was born in Nottingham township. Wells county. Feb. 26. a son of John and Rosanna Galli-Dubach, and had lived in Berne more than 20 years. Prior to his appointment as Berne town marshaj. Dubach was a Standard Oil Co. agent In Poneto and Berne. ITe was married to Miss Flossie Steiner April 4, 1920 Surviving in addition to his wife are three foster daughters. Mr*. Ervin Schindler of Berne. Mr*. Max Margoles of Chicago and Miss Racbeal Esther < Pepper> Du bach, *t home; one brother. EH Dubach ot Hartford township, and three sister*. Mrs Rosa Speheger of near Bluffton. Mrs Lena Stuck ey of Vera Crux and Mrs Emma Heyerly of Monroe Flv* brothers and two sisters preceded him in death Funeral **rvlc*s will be held at 2 p. m. Monday •• the Apostolic Christian church near Vera Crux, the Rev Henry Dotterer officiating. Burial will be in the church c*metery. Private services for relative* will be held *t 1:30 p, m Monday at the home, the Rev Olin A. Krehblel offlciwtlng. The body will be removed from the 3ager mortuary to tbe residence at 10 . rn Sunday. Friend* are requested to omit flower* 12-Ysor-Old Boy It Killed By Auto Versallle*. I*4 . Dec 24 — (UP» —A school bu» dropped Dennis Williams. 12. *t the highway t-y hl* homo near here yesterday, then coatlaued toward the next child * tawp*. The boy *tarted to run across the road He was struck *nd killed uy • cm driven by Alfred Malso of rural Suaman (Ripley eo«« iyj-

First Family Home For Christmas W< ______—__ HMkwR ■MKMWWIIIIiMIIMI ■M gR' AV Ajv ®a PRESIDENT TRUMAN. Mrs. Truman and daughter Margaret arrive at their Independence, Mo. home for a 5-day Christmas holiday. Mr. Truman and Margaret flew In from Washington and were met at the airport at Kansas City by Mrs. Truman.

President Relaxes In Missouri Home Spends Christmas At Independence Independence, Mo.. Dec. 28.— (I’Pl- President Truman relaxed today and looked forward to a snowy, peaceful Christmas with bi* family and friends here in hi* Missouri home. Although the man with the toughest job in the world had a full program even on Christmas Eve. It called only for pleasant things. The emphasis was on juletide fellowship Mr. Truman was scheduled to broadcast his annual Christinas message to the country *t 4 pm. (CSTi while giving the signal to light the national community Christmas tree on the White House lawn more than a thousand mile* away. Early today the President took a brisk eight-block walk through the familiar street*, accompanied by photographers and reporter*. He had to move frequently into the street to avoid icy stretches of sidewalk. Decorating of the Truman family tree' has been completed, the President said Asked whether he did the work himself, he said he had lots of help. Mr. Truman said he would go to (Tara Ta Pa*» Five I Quincy, 111., Still Is In Isolation Quincy. 111, Dec. 24 — (t’Pi — This Mississippi river city. Isolated when Inch-thick ice snapped communication* lines, remained largely without contact with the outside world zoday. No long distance circuits h*o lieen restored to o|ieration, and only one telegraph line was in *er vice. Masons To Install Officers Tuesday Plan Installation Here Tuesday Night There will be an Installation of officers of the Masonic lodge Tuesday. December 27. it was announced here today. All elected and appointed officials will take office at that time. Those elected, and to be installed are: Harold Murnma. worshipful master; Cletus H. Miller, senior warden; C. Edward Deitsch. junior warden; Robert Helm, treasurer and Edward Jaberg. secretary. Appointed officer* ar*: Paul Moor, senior deacon. Ray Stiaglcy. junior dMcon; Ted Hill, senior steward, and Dr. Gerald Jone*, chaplain. It was also announced that all member* who wer* ral**d to the degree of master Man* during tae year 1949 will b* presented their lambskin* and monitor* Following the iMtaiiatioaa. r*fr**bm*nl* wUI b* **rv*d

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Saturday, December 24, 1949

U. S., Yugoslavia Sign Air Agreement Belgrade, Yugoslavia, Dec. 24. — (UP) — The United States na* concluded a mutual air agreement with Yugoslavia giving American planes the right to fly over Yugoslav territory and land at Belgra-ie and other civil airports. It was announced today. In turn, the Yugoslav national airline was granted tbe right to land at all suitable civil airfield» in the I'. 8. zones of Germany and Austria. Sustains Demurrer In Court Friday Ruling Is Given In Guardianship Case In sustaining a demurrer filed by Lewis L. Smith, attorney for the plaintiff In the guardianship case of Pauline Murtaugh vs Hattie Andrews In Adams circuit court Friday afternoon. Judge Myles F. Parrish. In a 13-page written opinion, held that "as a general rule if the principal becomes mentally Incapacitated be fore a person given power of attorney has acted, the agency is terminated by operation of law." The court also held that "in a proceeding to adjudge a person in competent in the appointment of a guardian for such person because nf old age. his mental stale is the controlling factor." Following the filing of the guardianship case on which tbe court ruled. Hubert McClenahan filed an answer and the second paragraph stated that the defendant. prior to becoming infirm, had given her son. Leo Andrews, power of attorney to act when she was unable to do so. It wa* the plaintiff's attack on (Twr* Te *ts>

Pilgrims Trickling In To Worship At Bethlehem

Bethlehem, Dec 24 — (UP) — Black clad nuns kept vigil at the scene of Christ's birth and pH grims trickled in from time to time to worship at the holiest ■hrine of Christ iandom today. For many of the pilgrim* the journey to Bethlehem brought to life many scenes they had known only passages from the Bible Tbe main lure of tbe journey to Bethlehem wae th* Chrietmas *ervic* at midnight in the church of th* aatlvity. Thia Judean village where the angels sang of p**c* and good will had it* sadness on thia Christmas •v*. and much poverty and desolation it wa* rtf* among th* (5.000 refugee* from the Paleetin lan war who have flocked to Beth lebem. some 30.000 of them Arab Christian* Oa th* bleak slopes of th* 8* maria* and Hebron hill*, tent* wer* thrown up to accommodate many of tbe refugee* Many of the Christian* found refuge in

Holy Yhi Os 1950 Is Oponod By Pope Ytar-Long Jubilee Os Catholic Church Vatican City. Dec 24—(UP)—' Pope Piua XII begun the 1950 holy year of the Roman Cut holt* ehurcb today by opening the holy doors of Bt. Peter* cathedral while 1.000.(MH» ot lb« faithful kneh In prayer in and around Rome'* four basilica*. During th* ceremonies a group of 125 laud toss peasant* were arrested when they attempted to stage a rally at the nearby com-munist-led Rome labor chamber. The chamber proclaimed an immediate general strike in the capital. Tbe strikg order war withdrawn 30 minute* later when interior minister Mario Scelbu said the peasants would be released soon after the religious ceremonies were completed. The quick withdrawal was attributed to the communist-controll ed national labor federation, which advised the Rome lalair chamber to withdraw the strike call because it wa* "ill advised." The holy doors swung open at 10:39 a m (3:39 a. m CBT), ushering in the year-long 25th jubilee of the church which the pontiff, in his Christmas message yesterday, dedicated to tbe fight against communism and atheism The ceremony at St. Peter's, with tbe Pope officiating, was the main one. Simultaneously the same ritual was performed at St Mary Major. St John In Lateran and Bt. Paul's outside the walls. For the 1,000,000 wltMMee to the ceremony, and for millions more Catholic* the world over, it wa* th* beginning of a year dur(Teve T« Pe*e atst

church** and hospice*, but the room* are crowded and sanitation I* bad. A* ike bell* of Bethlehem* churches pealed out this Christmas rve. they knelt in prayer, asking for bread, for home*, for work At 10 o'clock toaight tbe harrier* dividing tbe Jewish and Arab part* of Jerusalem will he raised for five hours to allow diplomatic, consular and United Nation* personnel to travel th* main road to Bethlehem for the midnight aervieaa. Those of the pilgrims who wanted to aee Bethlehem by day came over * bumpy lAmile alternate road which. anUke the main highwny. irgveraaa only Arab territory from th* old city of Jerusalem Th* priarlpel Catholic services la Bethlehem tonight will be held at tbe church of »t Katherine, adjoining the church of tbe nativity, which stand* over and around the nx k grotto In which th* Christ tfweu T» Fame A6a|

76 Persons Dead In Early Hours Os Holiday; Traffic Crashes Cause 57 Deaths

10 Burned To Death In Separate Fires War Hero, Wife And Two Sons Victims Branford. Conn., Dec 24.—(VPi —A war hero, his wife and their two infant sons died today in a fire that destroyed their two-story frame home. The fire began shortly after Charles H. Nott. 31, and his 20-year-old wife went to bed after decorating a Christmas tree for their sons, Hudson Malcolm. 3, and nine-months-old Lawrence. The Notts were to have celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary and Nott's birthday today. The blate also destroyed the unoccupied home of a neighbor and forced another neighbor family to flee into near freezing temperatures. An oil burner defect was believed res|M»nsible for the fire which spread so quickly that by the time firemen arrived the Nott home was ablaze from top to bottom and the intense heat prevented firemen from trying a rescue. Nott won the distinguished flying cross, a presidential citation and other decorations for heroism on 75 missions in the European theater of operations while he was a captain in the air force. Mother. Five Children San Antonio. Tex , Dec. 24. — (VFt—A mother died with five of her children early today in a fire that destroyed their home and injured the father and another child Firemen said Mrs. Maria Montelongo, 37. burned to death as she ran "like a flaming torch" from her small three-room residence in an attempt to arouse help for her family. She died in the front yard as the flames killed the five children — Alejondro. it*. Andea, 7. Yolanda. 5, Allvla. 4. and Carlos. 1. Iler husband. Asiclon. 36. was burned critically as he made bis way out of the house with another child. Francises. 13. who also was taken to Baptist Memorial hospital in critical condition Firemen said the fire apparently was caused by an overheated wood stove. They said the eight members of (Tara T» Paar S-'earl Vocalional-Ag Class Formed Al Monmouth Purdue Student Is Hired As Teacher A new vocational agricultural course is to be added to the curriculum of the Monmouth high school beginning the first of next year, it was announced today by tbe county superintendent of schools. Hansel Foley, who stated that George Schiefersteln. trustee of Root township Instigated plans for such a course. Fred Meier, currently a student at Furdue Vniversity due to complete his studies at the end of this semester, will teach the class, which will be limited to 12 high school students or veterans The program will be the "regularveteran" type, and Foley stated that the classes will be open prl marily to veterans of tbe three northern townships He urged all veterans interested tn the program to contact his office for application forms and further details. Meier. Foley said, will teach tbe program from the first of next year until February 1 on a part time basis, giving several afternoons and all day Friday of each week to tbe classes After tbe February 1 date, though. Meier will be employed on a full-time basis, be plans to move to this area from West Fafayette at that time With the establishment of a vocational agricultural class at the Monmouth school, tbe total for such courses has been raised to three In the county schoole The other two are Geneva and Adams Central Foley added there are no other such courses proposed for tbe immediate present In any of lbs other three schools

Cut Railroad Passenger Use After Holiday Effort To Conserve Nation's Dwindling Supplies Os Coal Washington, Dec. 24 — (l'P> — The governmeni plans to cut railroad pasHenger traffic after the holiday* in an effort to conserve the nation's dwindling coal supplies, it wax diHcloaed today. Chairman J Monroe Johnson of the interxtate commerce commission said that if the miners continue their three-day work week, he will have no alternative but to issue an order next week directing coal-burning railroads to curtail their operations after the New Year. He told newsmen that passenger traffic of course would lie the first service affected. But he said that the government may have to reduce freight traffic, too. During the recent coal strike, the commission issued similar coal conservation orders. But It revoked them last month, when John L. ijewia' l ulled Mine Workers returned to (he coal pits on a parttime basis. Since then, however, little or no progress has been made toward settlement of the industry's longstanding contract dispute. The government contends that railroads have been especially hard hit by the decline in production The commission took its first step yesterday toward helping railroads with critically low coal stocks by giving them top priority on existing supplies. It Instructed all railroads with less than a nine-day stockpile to notify the government of that fact immediately. The ICC then will restrict coal shipments from the tninuos until their supplies are built up to Nov. 14-Dec. 12 levels The order was effective last midnight. The commission ex. plained that « number of railroads in all sections of the country already have “an extremely short supply” of coal on hand and that "au emergency requiring Immediate action exists." The ICC said it expects seven Idg railroads to apply for a priority within the next day or so They are the New York Central, the Chesapeake ft Ohio, the Central of New Jersey, the Georgia and Florida, the Illinois Central, the Chicago and Northwestern and the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific. The Cnited Mine Workers promptly bemoaned the action In a statement. I'MW president (Tars Ta Paae George W. Fravel Dies At Hospital Funeral Services Monday Afternoon George W Fravel. 81. of Geneva, died Friday afternoon at tbe Adams county memorial' hospital following an extended illness Surviving are his wife, Alice; four sons. Herbert Fravel of Decatur. William Fravel of Geneva., Robert Fravel of Indianapolis and James Fravel of Cincinnati, and five daughters. Mrs Mary Blowers of Baton Rouge. La. Mrs. Erma Brunner of Mt Rose. Mich. Mrs. Virena Blum and Mrs Jean Reid both of Flint. Mich, and Miss Katherine Fravel of Geneva Funeral services will be held at I'34* o'clock Monday afternoon at the Hardy A Hardy funeral home, with the Rev Clayton Steele of ficiating. assisted by the Rev Garth Shepherd Burial will be In Riverside cemetery, Friends may cell nt tbe funeral home until time of the service*.

Price Four Cents

12 Children Among Victims; 16 Dead In Fires; Snow In Portion Os Nation By United Press A cold, white Christmas was assured for most of the nation today but the mantle of while increased the death 101 l from highway accidents and the cold resulted In fires, set otf by over heated stove*, that also boosted the holiday list of dead The nation counted 76 persons dead from all types of accidents since 6 p m Friday. They Included 12 children Traffic crashes accounted for 57 deaths Sixteen persons were killed in fires and three others died In miscellaneous accidents. The two worst tragedies occurred in Texas At San Antonio. Tex . an overheated stove started a fire that killed Mrs. Maria Montelongo. 37. and five of her six children Her husband. Asiclon. 36. and another child were burned critically as their three-room home was destroyed. Six persons, including an entire family of five, were killed at Estelline. Tex . when the automobile containing Mr and Mrs Roy Lee Blake and their three small children collided with a gasoline truck driven by Carl Leatherman of Amarillo. Tex The liiake family was wiped out in the ensuing fire and Leatherman died later at a hospital. At Branford. Conn . Mr and Mrs. Charles H Nott and their two children were killed as fire destroyed their frame home Two New York state residents were killed in separate fires. Fire Id John Lyden. 42. died while fighting a fire in Brooklyn and Frank Teal burned to death in a house destroyed by fire at Rhinebeck. N. V Albert Y Kevorkian. Jr.. 6. of Newton. Mass., was killed when he stuck his finger into an empty socket of a Christmas tree light cord Despite the snow and cold, highways. buses, trains and airliners were crowded with traveler* hurrying to their holiday destinations. . A record breaking “heat wave" in tbe east was dispelled completely today a* a mass of cold air swept southward. New York expected temperatures to hover arouud freezing today Christmas day appeared likely to be cold A new frigid wave was sweeping the northern plains states and was fanning out in all direction* as it poured across the border into Nebraska and the Dakotas Snow lay over most northern states from the Pacific ocean to the Appalachians and more of the white stuff was forecast for the midland* by tonight. The national safety council renewed its warning to motorist* to “take it easy and apply due curtesy" to other drivers during the holiday The council expected 435 Americans to be killed in accidents over the three-day holiday weekend. It was the ocuncil's gloomiest forecast in history. Railroad stations, air terminals, and bus depots were crowded but it appeared that the volume of travel might not set the records expected by transportation officials. At New York, the Grand Central and Pennsylvania stations reported that they were handling the crowds without difficulty. Travel at New York wa* slightly above last year Airline* ran 92 extra flights in and out of the city and the Pennsylvania ran 63 extra train sections between New York and Washington The New York Central operated 23 extra trains. Greyhound bus line* had every one of it* vehicle* on the roads but reported that few of them were loaded to capacity Trans-World airline* ordered more than I**» flight* to handle holiday traveler* and Capitol airline* scheduled three extra •actions from Chicago to New York The lllinoio Central railroad reported the biggest holiday rush in history Tbe Arison* highway depart ment estimated that there were tT»»u Te Page Ptve>