Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 50, Number 71, Decatur, Adams County, 24 March 1952 — Page 1

Vol. L. No. 71.

Death Toll In Tornadoes Is Placed At 250 Continue Grim Hunt For Bodies In Six Southern States Little Rock; Ark., March 24. — (UP)—-Tt)e death toll rose to 250 today in? the tornado rfnd floodravaged areas of six southern states as dazed survivors finished the twO-day job of burying their <|ead and began rebuilding their wrecked homes. The American Red Cross counted -1,107 injured in the wake of the & swirling black funnels, greatest barrage of tornadoes in 20 years, and estimated damage would run iuto “njillions.” The grim search for bodies con- *• tinned in Arkansas, hardest hit by the killer twisters that marched across the midsouth through Mis* sissippi. Alabama, Tennessee and Missouri. Rains had stopped in the flooded areas along the Kentucky-Tennes-see border, where I'o lives were lost, and the state highway parol at Harlan, Ky., reported the rampaging rivers were receding. In Arkansas, national guardsmen patrolled the storm-shattered towns to prevent looting. Red Cross-officials here revised upward the number of killed b j the raging storms in Arkansas from 121 to 149 with 711 injured. Elsewhere a state-by-state breakdown issued by Red Cross headquarters in Washington gave this picture: Alabama—B dead, 46 injured. Tennessee —60 dead. 257 injured. Mississippi—ll dead. 23 injured. Kentucky—7 dead. 1 injured, \ Missouri —15 dead. &9 injured. Officials received applications from 2.612 families for various kinds of help. The Red Cross listed 957 homes demolished by the onslaught of the storms and another .1.391 damaged. Red Cross and Salvation Army relief workers supplied food, clothing and shelter to the homeless, while doctors and nurses gave medical aid to the injured in hospitals and improvised clinics set . up in churches. schools and other structures. '» Red Cross disaster headquarters here sent a “ruph" shipment of milk, baby bottles and nipples to Searcy, Ark., in the heart of the tornado-belted area. Federal officials, acting on orders'from President Truman, began a survey of the stricken areas to determine relief possibilities. The Red Cross increased its national r disaster fund by $5,000,000 to care for the needy. Gov. Sid McMath of Arkansas proclaimed a state of emergency at Judsonia and Bald Knob and Tennessee’s Gov. Gordon Browning ordered all state relief agencies into action in the western part of the ■ - ' A ' ; ' ' ‘ ' Mrs. Doris Burkhead Recorder Candidate Mrs. Doris Burkhead, Monroe, wife of Loren Burkhead, Jr., today announced her candidacy for recorder of Adams county, subject to the decision of voters at thje Republican primary election May 6. ■ ‘ . • 1 Mrs. Burkhead is route salesman in southern Adams county and Jay county for a Fort Wayne newspaper. She has been active in county Republican political circles for several years. Mrs. ' Burkhead said she would J start at once to make an active campaign for the post, and if nominated would also make an active campaign for the November election. | . Funeral Held Sunday For Rosemary Hetrick Pallbearers for Miss Rosemary Hetrick at services held in the first Methodist church Sunday afternoon were members of Miss Hetrick’s high school and youth fellowship classes., They were James and Robert Nelson, Norman and Roger Pollock. Luther Schrock, Jack Lawson. Kent Koons and Don Smit(i. The church. was filled to overflowing. The services were conducted by the Rev. Samuel Emerick, pastor. \ Rev. Emerick used the story of Esther from the Old Testament, in drawing an analogy with the life of the 16-year-old high school junior, whose death last Thursday cast a veil of sadness over the city. Miss Hetrick was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Maynard Hetrick of South Sixth street.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Announces Winners In Essay Contest 5 Mrs. Chlrlek W. Chew, Jr„ Americanism 'chairman for the American Legion auxiliary in Decatur, today announced winners in the 1952 Americanisni essay contest, sponsored by the auxiliary. There were two entriek in the high school division, with Gretchen Zintsmaster winning first and Carolyn Terveer second? Both , are students at the Decatur C ithblic high school. In the junior high school division, Sue ■ Decatur Catholic, was first; Anna Marie MJUe.r Decatur Cathode, j second, and Mary Lou Gaunjti Luckey school, third. The winning essays will be entered in the district contest. Judges were Lewis Li Smith, Mrs. Hugh J. Andrews and| Edward F. Jaberg. Local awards' are $5, |3 and $2. !i . : ‘ ■ 1 j /? P s i'. Iwl- ■■ " - a'U President And Wilson Confer On Steel Hike Truman Meets With Defense Mobilizer Over Steel Crisis 'A ■ '*• I ■ i. Key West, Fla., Mar. 24f—(pP)— Presdeint Truman and defense mol.llizer Charles E. Wilson conferred today on a plan for slowing down steel price increases certain to be involved in any settlement of the threatened steel strikb. The White House refused disclose any details of the discussions, but it Was known from authoritative sources that XVilson was exploring witjh Mr. Truman the possibility of allowing i hesteel industry a series Qf flexib e, stagger Increases. i . The industry has said > higher steel prices will be necessary to meet wage increases recommended by the wage stabilization board. Wilson. will fly back to Washington during the afternoon with the results of his meetings With Mr. Truman. j The president and Wilson talked here last night. They had breakfast together today on the fantail of the White House yacht, the U. S. S. Williamsburg moored not far from the winter White Hpiise, and talked for, 90 minutes, 'then they walked to the beach where they donned bathing trunks? H They held a beachside, private talk for nearly 45 minutest, then went swimming together. Wilson and the president returned to the winter White House for lunch, af»er which the mobilization boss planned to take off for Washington in a special air force constellation. Press secretary Joseph Short said the president and Wilson discussed “stabilization matters, particularly steel.” Beyond t|ia| bare fact, Short shid he could say nothing, -,' . ;■ ? Asked whether they had cOpie to any agreement. Short decided to comment. < Wilson arrived here last ? night with a series of plans and alternative plans for coping with the steel situation, and at the same time, putting the suggested settlement and its economic consequences-.-quarely up to Mr. Truman. The steel strike is now set for Apfcil 8. ———— - George Repperf Dies At Home In Illinois Funeral Services Thursday Afternoon George Reppert, 68, native of Adams county, died early this mortiing at the Deaconess hospital in Freeport, 111., after a brief plnesS. He resided at 710 South Carroll avenue in that city. He w'as born in Adams county April 10, 1883, a son of' Christ and Marry Reppert, and was a painter by trade. He had lived in Freeport for the past 20 years. Mr. Reppert was a member of the Zion Evangelical and Reformed church at Frfeeport. Surviving are two brothers, Walter Reppert of west of Decatur, dnd Elmer Reppert of Fort Wayne, and two sisters, Mrs. Ralph Worthman of Millersburg and Mrs. Jason Huffman of San Francisco, Calif. ’. Funeral services vfill be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Salem: Evangelical and Reformed church at Magley, the Rev. H. E. Settlagej officiating. The body will be returned to the Zwlck funeral home, where friends may call after 7 :!3H p.m. Wednesday until time of the services. ; i I ■

Truman Asks For Haven For More Refugees Asks Congressmen Admit 300,000 In Next Three Years , Key West, Fla., Mar. 24— (UP)— President Truman asked congress today to let an additional 300,000 Europeans. including fugitives from iron curtain countries, into the United States during the next three years. | The chief executive proposed a three-year emergency immigration pregrma desgined to assist “fugitives from Soviet terror” and to meet the need for increasing migration from overcrowded European areas. He outlined a basic, three point program in a lengthy message to congress: 1. “Provide aid for the unfortunate victims of oppression who •ire escaping from Communist tytanny behind the iron curtain.” 2. "Continue our participation in the international effort now being made to assist in the migration and resettlement throughout the world of a substantial number of persons from the' overpopulated areas of western Europe.” • 3. "Authorize additiontai Immigration into this country, on a limited basis, to aid in\ alleviating the problems created by Communist tyranny and overpopulation in western Europe.” The message followed action by the use of American funds for rethe president yesterday to start cruitment of iron curtain escapees in the North Atlantic defense forces. Mr. Trumah okayed the first expenditure of $4,300,000 in mutual asssitance money under the so-called Kersten amendment which authorizes the use of up to $100,000,000 for this purpose. j-Mr. Truman pointed out today that the recruitment of fugitives for NATO military forces and their formation into active military units posed “great and administrative difficulties” and , would not eliminate the need for additional measures To use the “skills and energies” of fugitives in life. The president felt, however, that the problems of helping "fugitives from Soviet terror” were; “overshadowed by the need for increasing migration from the overcrowded areas of Europe.” Labeling existing immigration laws “inadequate," Mr.- Truman pointed out that the displaced persons act will end this year and the United States will revert to the quota system of immigration. Present immigration laws provide for the admission of about 150,000 immigrants a year under a quota system. The president’s request for admission of an additional 300,000 over a three-year period was similar to the post-war (T«r« To Pace Six)

Elks Cancer Fund u ■ • r ■ v u 1 •' vk ; . Tickets Going Well Annual Party Here On Saturday Night More than 300 tickets already Lvae Jieen sold for the annual Decatur Elks cancer fund party, which will be held Saturday night at the Elks home here. The party will start with a smorgasbord dinner at 6 o’clock. There will be other entertainment for the next two hours and at’ 10 o’clock until closing time there will be an informal dance. The entire day will be an open house at the Elks home and proceeds from the party will go to the state cancer fund, which the Indiana Elks have established. Tickets may be obtained from any member of the Icoal lodge at $1.50 tach, which includes the entire party. The local group has long been active in the cancer drive each year and has contributed several hundred dollars each year for the ourpose of research and education. J. K. Eady is general chairman of the event. NEW SERIAL STORY “Pour»d Foolish” is the title i of the new serial story which will start Tuesday in the Dally Democrat. The story is by Robert Malloy and is about two young lovers who overcome an old north-south feud of the families. You'll enjoy reading all of this interesting serial.

ONLY DAILY NEWBpAR<* IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Monday, March 24, 1952.

Britain’s Newest Fighter Plane

CLEARED FOR PUBLICATION by British security officials, this hitherto unpublished picture shod* the hew. Royal Air Force fighter, the Hawker “Hunter,” in flight over the English countryside. Declared “the fastest in the world," tbps .plane is considered so vital that Prime Minister Winston Churchill has given its rapid production super-priority classification. ' The craft wias designed by Sydney Camm.

Commissioners In ' Special Meeting j. ■ Court House Clock Under Discussion The Adams county commissioners had several important items for discussion on the agenda of their special meeting today. All three members of the board arrived at their office at 8:30 o’clock this morning. . r ? The, court house clock was due to pet some special attention today., The board was to decide whether' the bell to strike each hour be repaired. Sentiment appeared to of the striker, which would entail purchase of a AiotiT and other new equipment. '{The striker has been out of order jfo» soerte time. w Also to be, diecussed at today's session was whether to move the clock ahead an hour April 26. when Decatur goes to daylight .saving time. Last year the clock was held at central standard time. It was indicated that the commissioners were seriously considering. moving the hands ahead an hour. Herman Seeley, Muncie, met with the board today to outline plans for a complete inventory of county highway equipment and property. Seeley was asked to meet with the board to assist in making ! plans for the inventory. The board also was scheduled to draw up specifications for the purchase of a corn picker for the county farm. It is believed that bids will be received, probably' at a special meeting or at the May meeting for the new equipment, which has long been needed. • I V Several other minor items were to be discussed by the board. Indiana Farmer Is Killed By Lightning Columlbus, Ind., March 24. — (UP) —Dorance Markland, 48, a Bartholomew cdunty farmer, was killdd Saturday when struck by lightning on hiS farm near here while rounding up cattle. IN DIANA WE AT HE R Mostly fair «|nd cold tonight. Tuesday increasing cloudiness and rising temperatures. Low tonight 20-25 north, 25-35 south. High Tuesday 40-45 north, 45-55 south.

■ I - ' ’ s' ; :■ ■ ' ■ (Rev. Wtn. F. Ensminger. Rivarre Circuit United Brethren, in Christ) MANAGING OUR MOODS Psa. 56:3 It cannot be done by sheer will power. I cannot simply say, “I will not fear. I will not be ashamed. 1 will not be despondent.” This procedure will not work satisfactory for there are laws of the mind to be obeyed. ? Our moods depend upon our views of. life. Our views depend upon our thought life. Our thought life "is conditioned upon the acceptance of Biblically based facts of life. ; Supreme among the facts of the universe are these: God’s love for mankind manifested in the giving of His Son for the redemption of the race. This includes the sacrifice for sins on Calvary’s cross and the resurrection of Chrsit for our justification. Those who .accept these fundamental truths have a divine source of peace and joy that banishes fear and kindred emotions that produce frustrations'. David said. “I will trust in thee." I. is emphatic., The poor weak one will betake himself to God. By God’s-help I will praise His word of promise. ' ' i: Trust In God tends to right thinking and thus, the management of the moods is cared for automatically. f'Thls is the victory that overcometh the world even our faith.” P

Rites Held Today For Striker Baby . Funeral services were held this afternoon at the Black funeral home for Arithony Dean Striker, ilUant son of James and Helen Hart-StHker, stillborn this\ morn-, ing at the Adams county memorial hospital. The Rev. William C. FOU let officiated and burial was in tl)e liecatur cemetery. in addition to the ('lits are a brother, William Lee Striker; and the grandparents. Mt. and Mrs. Daniel Striker of near Berne and Mr. and Mrs. Clifton Hart of Decatur. Additional Funds Asked By Red Cross To Aid Victims Os I Recent Tornadoes The county Red Cross chapter was asked today to raise an additiorial S6OO to aid the homeless and give aid to victims in the tQrnado swept states in the southwest, Roscoe Glendening, chapter president, announced. . In a mallgram received thisl morning from E. Ronald Harriman, national president of the Red Cross, it was mentioned that already 178 persons met death. 877 were injured and hundreds of homes were destroyed in the storm. “This great disaster, the worst in a decade, has, placed tipon the Red Cross an added burden of at least $5,000,000 for meeting human needs. “With our reserves depleted it is necessary to g 6 to the public for this money, not as a separate appeal‘but ope to be‘combined with our present annual campaign. “On this basis, your share is S6OO. Please assure the public the needs of the victims will be met. We are confident of the support, of your chapter and the generosity of your citizens. “Please notify your fund .chairmen immediately and mobilize all campaign workers urging citizens to aid their friends and neighbors in the four state area." ; With the S6OO added to the current drive, the quota is boosted to $10,515, co-chairmen Leo Kirsch and Earl Fuhrman announced.

Two Missing Tots Dead, 3rd Survives Cold

Gen. Gruenfher Testifies To Senate Group Reports On Progress Made For Rearming Os Western Europe

Washington, March 24. —(UP) — Administration supporters counted on an optimistic report from Gen. Alfred M. Gruenther today to win congressional vqte§ for the $7,9(M),000.000 foreign aid program. Gruenther, a four star stand-in for Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, was called into a closed session of' the senate foreign relations committee to report on progress in rearming western Europe. ! The foreign aid program includes $4,070,000,000 in direct military aid for the Atlantic pact nations of western Europe w'hich havto pooled their defense forces under Eisenhower’s command. Gruenther, who is now Eisenhower’s chief of staff and who might become his successpr, said on arrival here from Paris that “the tide is flowing bur way” in Europe gnd it is “getting more difficult all the time” for ad aggressor to launch a successful attack. Sen. John J. Sparkman (D-Ala.) .) gl d'.‘Wßnien such statements should help win the support of wavering congressmen who fear the defenses. Os the west are not being built fast enough \>r that European nations are not doing enough for themselves. Sparkman also indicated that Gruenther’s appearance will i not satisfy the demand pt some lawmakers that Eisenhower testify In (Tun To Pace Six) Appeal To Workers To Finish Campaign Red Cross Campaign Is Short Os Quota u An appeal to workers to complete their canvass for the Red Cross 'fund was made today by Leo Kirsch, county chairman, and Eajfl f’uhrman, Decatur chairman, as the drive entered its final week. jointly thechairmen thanked those who have completed solicitation in the areas assigned to them. With a goal of $9,915, the amount so far reported is $4,458, a little l|ess than 50 percent of goal, the chairmen explained. ♦**We feel-that the people of Adams county want to contribute to the Red Cross and will make their contribution if the volunteers call on the homes and business houses,” the chairmen explained. , V “This is 'the Hast week for the annual drive and if the county's quota is met, solicitation must be speeded up. Many districts are unreported and likewise many have only been partially covered,” it was’’ explained. With the tornadoes and storms sweeping over the southwest states, thle national Red. Cross will be asked to give additional financial aid to the stricken people. Last year Red Cross funds were almost depleted because of the ektra demand to help the flood sufferers in Missouri and Kansas. Area Scout Leaders Will Meet Tuesday All' Adams county adult leaders in the Boy Scout movement have been invited to the annual dinner and meeting of adult leaders of the entire Anthony Wayne area at Fort Wayne Tuesday night. Committeemen, den mothers, scoutmasters, adult scouters and all others interested in the youth orgnaizatiop have been invited. Clarence Ziher of this city, long active in the Scout movement, receive public recognition for his interest and activities.

Adams County Lady Exonerated In Case Freed Os Complicity In Death Os Infant The Adams county young woman questioned in connection with the filming of an infant boy in the St. Mary’s river at Willshire, • O last week, submitted to a medical examination and has been completely exonerated, according to a statement issued by sheriff Robert Shraluka today. The young woman, who besides east of Decatur, voluntarily went to a physician over the Week-end and the physician sent his findings to coroner W. E. Van Weft county, Ohio., and the statement completely exonerated . the local woman, who is employed in Decatur. Sheriff Shraluka and state police detective Charles Epperson stated today that their part of the probe had been completed and further, investigation rests with sheriff Roy Shaffer and coroner Trapp of Van Wert county, where the baby was found. The local authorities entered the case last 'Thursday when word was received from Willshire, O. that the Adams county woman might be the mother of the infant. This, however, Was completely disproved. Shraluka visited Shaffer and Trapp at Van Wert today and learned that bo new developments had been brought to light over the week-end other than the exoneration of the Adams county woman. It is understood that Shaffer will continue to work on the ease. Judge James Emmert Seeks Riencrmination . • . . I f ■ ■ Indianapolis, March 24. —(UP) —Judge James A. Emmert of Shelbyville i will seek renomination to the InucjHana supreme court at the Republican state convention. The former Shelbyville mayor announced his candidacy Saturday night from the second judicial district. ■ , - Emmert fonmeriy also served as Shelby circuit judge and Indiana attorney -general. He made an unsuccessful bid for the GOP gubennatorial nomination iri 1940. Ask Joint Meeting To Discuss Ditch Dredging Os Ditch Is Termed Urgent Otto Hoffman, president of the board of county commissioners, has written the Mercer cojilnty, 0., board of commissioners and county engineer asking fur a joint meeting with , the Adams county group to discuss joint plans for dredging the Burger ditch in the southern part of Adams county and the western part of Mercer county. A health and sanitary problem has arisen at Jefferson township high school.where sewage drains into the Burger, ditch. Several thousand dirilars have been exnended by Jefferson township to modernize th|e school building's plumbing and when there is high water it is necessary to close the school because the sewage backs up into the building from the ditch. Sine? the ditch runs into Mercer county. Ohio, and then returns to Adams county and empties into the Wabash river it is necessary forth dredging project to be an interstate affair The Adams county board has been willing to authorize the dredging for some time but no action has been taken by the Ohio group.’ “ | It is believed that a joint meet- ( iug will be arranged soon and work will be dojne at once. Health authorities say that the ditch as it now is. offers a serious health hazard, especailly when there has been considerable rain. It was necessary just a few days ago to close the Jefferson school because of the jdltch condition.

Price Five Cent*

Four-Year-Old Girl Survives Bitter Cold . I. ■ . ■ Two Other Children Frozen To Death In • Wisconsin Forest \ \. Oconto, Wis.. Marl 24 -— (UP) — i Rescuers searching for three > small children lost in a blizzard I in Nicolet national forest today • found one of them alive and the other two dead. . \ They were found by a tavern 1 keeper In an Outbuilding near a hunting lodge where searchers by \ the hundreds had tramped since ■ the children were reported missing 1 Saturday. • The only survvior, four-year-old ' Mary Ann Church, was taken to, the office of Dr. j. S. Dougherty in 1 nearby Suring, Wis. * The bodies of her sister, Kathy, 5, and her cousin, Stevie Kennedy. * 5, were brought in later. Their ’ bodies were stiff, the doctor said. s But Mary Ann, who had survlved the blizzard and the bitter cold ’ for 43 hours, apparently had sufj sered no serious effects. r “We gave her tome hot milk,” j the doctor said, “|but she insisted B that she liked coffee better.’’' “And she, kept asking for a . sandwich;” he said. “She toldme I she was ‘awful hkhgry'.” Mary Ann was rushed to an Oconto Fails hospital. Attendants said she was in “ftiir condition." The three children wandered away from the Arnold Church home about 3 p. m. Saturday. No > snow wajj? falling, but within an r hour a full-blown blizzard hit the z 1 lonely nojrth woods area. The pat ents sent an urgent appeal for helps Volunteers by the ‘ hundreds swarmed into the area from surrotinding counties, bloodhounds were brought In, and a civil air patrol plane took off to aid in thei search. The searching party walked repeatedly v|lth(n 300 to 400 feet of the hunting damp Saturday and jesterday j And a sriowplow cleared part of thp areal in a search for the children. A Lakewood tavern keeper, \Sig Johnson, led a searching party to the Badger Club, neat Gillett Lake. The resort had been closed for the winter fori the first time in years. When they were just about ready to go back to the road, Anderson decided to look in one of (Tera To Six) Caflle Test Plan Outlined To Board \ All County Cattle To Undergo Tests Dr. O. E. Watson, federal veterinarian in chargq of the cattle test for tuberculosis in Adpms county, outlined his plans to I the Adams connty board of commissioners in special session today. I \ Dr. Watson said that three to assist arid each has been assigncounty veterinarians had agreed ed to a township to start the work immediately. Dr. Edward Peck will do the testing In Unoin township; Dr. R. E. Allison of Decatur will do the testing in Preble township and Dr, D. W. Fireoved of Bertie will handle Mohroe township. 1 * Tiie work will tgke in every head of cattle in the county and Dr. , Watson explained that these three focal men would be assigned to another township as soon as their present assignments were completed. Dr. Watson will have a special assiataut later and thfese men also will do actual teating. It is estimated that It will take several months to complete the work.