Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 51, Number 295, Decatur, Adams County, 16 December 1953 — Page 1

Vol.’Ll. No. 295.

New Official Portrait Os The Supreme Court

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THIS IS the first portrait photo of the U. S. Supreme court since death of the late Chief Justice Fred M. Vinson. Front, from left: Justices Felix Frankfurter, Hugo L. Black. Chief Justice Earl Warren, Stanley F. Reed. William O. Douglas. Rear: Tom C. Clark, Robert H. Jackson, Harold Hitz Burton Sherman Minton. . . ’ : "

Says Some Os Gls Wans To Return Home Fear Os Companions Holding Back Some £ American Prisoners PANMUNJOM, Korea (UP) — An escaped South Korean prisoner of the Communists said today , t three or four of th® 22 Americas held by the Reds want to go home but fear their companions will stab them to death if they request repatriation or make a -break for freedom. , £ ! ? “They are afraid they will be killed if they- try," Kim Mun Do. the South Korean, told officers after 'scaling WJbhrbod wlre"®‘hca around his Communist prisoncompound and running to an Indian guard. ' Kim said that at least 10 of the 350 Communist-held South Koreans wno have not been interviewed also want to escape. < Kim reported that the Communists were smuggling knives, into the compound holding the Americans, South Koreans and; ope Briton, and pulled out a dagger to back up his story. The South Korean was the first ROK to gain his freedom Since the prisoner explanation program started. The remainder, the exception of 104 who have ) not been Interviewed, elected unanimously to remain with the Communists. ; I Return of the South Korean, soldier gave Allied “officers their only first-hand glimpse inside the proCommunist compound since \ the* explanations . began *on Dec. 8v The South Korean said the hardcore Americans and ROKa forced the-breaking-off of the explanation program, to ‘prevent interviewers from talking to tne men who really want to go home. Other sources said one of the 22 Americans boasted that \ he. killed a buddy In a prison camp and chose to remain with the Communists because he was afraid to return t<u the United States and stand trial. ' ~ None of the Americans has been interviewed by Allied ’explainers and as the .Dec. 23 deadline for “come home” talks approached it was apparent they would not be, permitted by the Communists to go to the explanation tents. To Turn IAII Loose MUNSAN, Korea (UP)—lridian Lt. Gen. K. S/ Thimayya said today he will turn loose all war prisoners Jan. 22 unless the United Nations and Communists.agree on holding them in his,custody for a longer period. Thimayya’s statement practically assumed the release of 22.000 antl-Communist North Koreans and Chinese held by the Allies and up to 350 prisoners of the Reds, including 22 There was no possibility of the (Contlaued ea Page Eight) Craigville Telephone Asks Rote Increase INDIANAPOLIS, UP — The Craigville (Wells county) Telephone Co. petitioned the Indiana public service commission • today to raise its rates 25 cents -per month. j. The utility said present rates, set In 1948, were Insufficient to maintain an adequate standard of service. The firm which serves 426 customers said, its profit tor the first nine months of this year was only $983.65.

• ; . — ----- . DECATUR DAU A DEMOCRAT

Council Votes Down Change In Contract Change Order Goes Back io Engineers One councilman’s opposition to a diesel plant contract change order, involving a credit on wall tile, ’was strong enough to sway the majority of the council Tuesday night and the change order failed to pass on its final rading apd went back to the engineers. Councilman Ed Bauer, who has been set against the change order from the very beginning, stood alone at the last council meeting but picked tip the necessary negative votes to throw out the change. Siding with him ip the crucial final reading were Adolph Kolter and iHugh lEngle, the latter having voted for the change from the time it came before the municipal body at ‘ the last council meeting Dec. 1, The disputed vote, the first in at least 18 months, hinged on a. contract change order by the Yost Construction Co., builders of the plant at Seventh and Dayton, which calls for some additional construction in the plant but also includes a portion by which the city would afreet o accept a credit of 220 per hundred tiles. Bauer said he, Adolph Kolter, and an engineer from the designing firm of Emery, (Marker & Emery, Toledo, 0., went over the tiles at the plant sometime this week and the engineer agreed that the workmanship On the lay-up of tiles was unsatisfactory. Bauer admitted the city council, when specification came before it for approval, okayed the use of a grade B tile. It was reported that the engineers stated that it was customary to use tha grade of* tile in construction such as this. . Continuing, Bauer said he re ceived no assurance from the engineer that corrective measures would be taken. He said he was told the way to do it w’ould be to start from the top and X cut tiles that were-put in unsatisfac-. torily. Bauer said he ■ wasn’t satisfied that the would follow through, however. ' “fl don’t care how the rest of the council votes,” asserted Bauer, “I’m against it <the change order).” Bauer’s point appeared to be shat he realized the tile was not the best but that also nothing could Ibe done about that since the council agreed to it; but he was down on the workmanship in laying these tiles. (Bauer implied that, in his opinion, accepting a credit on the tiles would compromise the council when the . time came for objecting to the workmanship. This anornlng, however, Mayor John Doan said the city would not be hindered by accepting the credit and could object just as strongly to the workmanship upon its inspection and refuse to accept the plant until something would be done about it. Councilman lEngle joined the opposition to the order when he asked Mayor Doan about Inspection methods in the plant. Mayor Doan told him ft is customary to have the contractors finish a job and then have it inspected. \ In strong terms, (Engle disagreed with that method and inferred a belief that inspections should keep step with Construction all along the way. Bauer, continuing to explain his strong stand, said he received no assurance from the engineer that the job of tiling would be "condemned” at Its completion. H’m not satisfied that the change will be made,” declared Bauer. ‘Td (Continued on Page Two) 4

Rhee Lessens Any Banger Os Renewing War South Korea Leader In About-face Over Renewal Os Warfare TOKYO — Syngman Rhee lessened the danger of renewed Korean fighting at the end of January by postponing indefinitely today his plans to send his tough young army across the 38th para 1 la. The South Korean President bad warned repeatedly he might* take “unilateral action to unify Korea” if a political conference failed to do so by Jan. 27, 90 days after It was scheduled t o wpsit Oat W---In a dramatic about-face, the aging Korean patriarch promised his troops would take no action until three months after convening a peace conference—whenever that may be. Rhee announced his change of policy in a press conference before Korean newsmen alt Seoul less than 12 (hours after if. fi. ; envoy •Arthur H. Dean leftfor Washington to briefP resident Eisenhower on his unsuccessful attempts to reach agreement with the Communists on convening the conference. Since preliminary talks on opening the conference have been disrupted because the Communists accused the United States of treachery in the escape of 27,000 anti-IRed prisoners of the United Nations last June, Rhee’s statement put off indefinitely the threat of resuming the Korean war. Before leaving Tokyo for Washington, Dean declined to tell newsmen whether he\ had influenced Rhete to soften his policy. fiut Dean, before breaking off negotiations, had assured the Reds Rhee would abide by any agreements reached at the conferenc. Undergoes Surgery For Leg Fracture Report Phil Sauer Is In Good Health Phil Sauer, 61, salesman for the Burk Elevator Co., of this city and a former county, highway superin tendent and Decatur street commissioner, underwent surgery at Hinsdale hospital, Hinsdale, 111., yesterday on his fractured left leg. Phil was seriously injured in a head-on auto collision Nov. 30 near Hinsdale. His left hip was also fractured. A pin was placed in his leg yesterday and he will undergo similar surgery on his hip within Hite next couple days, his son, Ralph Sauer, stated. He has recovered from shock and the physician in charge stated that the Decatur man is in good health. Pinning the broken leg bone Is expected to aid the knitting of the fracture more rapidly. At first the'Jeg was placed tn traction’ and satisfactory progress was not noted, the. physician said. Mrs. Sauer is at the Hinsdale hospital and intends to remain there for a couple weeks* The Sauer family is planning to spend Christmas with Phil, or divide visits with him over the holiday weekend. The Sauer family stated that many local friends had remembered their father with cards and letters, which Phil greatly appreciated.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday, December 16, 19 53.

Eisenhower Discusses Administration Plans At News Conference

Will Base New Legislation On GOP Promises Eisenhower Says He - ’Will Be Responsible For 1954 Program WASHINGTON, UP—President Eisenhower said today he alone will be responsible for the principles of the 1954 legislative program to be worked out this week in a three-day series of meetings with Republican congressional leaders. ' / Mr. Eisenhower told his news conference the program he will lay before the legislative leaders will be subject to modification in details—but not in principle. The series of meetings begins at the White House Thursday and lasts through Saturday. > ; The President said he expecte general on the legislative program to come out of those meetings. i Republican congressmen hare split in public discussions on some matters, especially taxation and foreign policy. (Mr. Eisenhower would not go nto detail today on his program. But heboid the news conference it will be based on Republican campaign promises of 1952 and lie commented that this administration believes in keeping its pledges arid is going to try its hardest to do that. The closest he came to being specific on the program was his disclosure that it does not nofr include any recommendations on civil rights legislation. Mr. Eisenhower said his staff and advisers have been workingon the legislative program for several months and have agreed oh the broad principles it will encompass; but they have not come up with a final, detailed draft. I He said the three primary putposes of the thi;ee days of cOnfefences with GOP congressional leaders are an exchange of view 4, a look at present results of hih staff’s work and a general meeting of minds ..in advance of the program’s formal presentation iD the President’s state of the union message to congress in January/ Qn other matters, Mr. Eisen, bower said: ” 1. Vice President and Mrs. Richard M. Nixon did an admirable job as goodwill ambassadors on their f9-nation trip which ended this week. 2. He will leave here Dec. 2& for a work and play vacation at Turn Tn Central Soya Plans For Christmas Party ) Hold Annual Party ■ Here Monday Night Approfonately 11200 persons ar? expected at the annual Christmae party for Central Soya employes and their families (Monday night at Decatur high school gym, Dike (Eddleman, general chairman for the event, stated' today. Comedy bicycle and unicycle stunts by Jesse Sides will be features Arif the six professional act« to be presented at the holl* day family night show. The show will begin at 7 pjm. Other performers will be George Travel, ventriloquist; Wolcott’s dogs, animal act; (Mike Gasca, comedy juggling and spinning plates; the Hart family, hand td hand balancing; Avis and Lawton Hart, comedy and straight tight wire. Dick Walter of the Decatur office, will Ibe inaster <jfi ceremonies for the Christmas party. Other committee members include: Amy Woodward, program & entertainment; Lois Chronister, Indoor decorations; Paul Hilyard, ar* rangements; IGadys Keller, gifts and distribution, \ and Don Heimann, ushering.

Sub-Zero Weather ]■ Forecast Tonight Some Highways In Indiana Hazardous INDIANAPOLIS UP —The first real cold snap of the season plunged Indiana into a deep freeze ftoday as Hoosiers bundled up in preparation for sub-zero weather. Workers and Christmas shoppers found snow underfoot, treacherous ice on the highways and temperatures skidding as low as 7 degrees this morning. It was 7 ||t Lafayette, 9 at Fort Wayne\ and ranging up to Evansville’s 22 elsewhere. Weathermen expected a gradual,, rise later today. But tonight the\ weather bureau expected readings as low as 5 below to 5 above iti the northern halt of the state, and 5 to 15 above south.' State police reported most main highways either generally clear or slippery in spots, but many secondary roads were “hazardous.” Scow measured up to four Inches on the ground at South Bend, but there was no prospect of snow later today or tonight, except near Lake Michigan. i All roads in the extreme southeastern part of the state along the Ohio River were hazardous ( with “possibly a few clear spots.” Two inches of snow on the ground was reported in that area durlhg the night. Forecasters said today’s temperatures would range up to 22 degrees in the north and 30 south. INDIANA WEATHER Fair tonight and Thursday except snow flurries extreme northwest. Colder tonight. Low tonight 5 below to 5 above north, 5 to 15 above south. High Thursday 15-20 north, 18-24 south. State Health Board ( Backs City's Stand Asserts Garbage Disposal Correct The state board of health has sided with the city of Decatur in. the matter of the remonstrance against the city in their dumping of garbage on the Harold V. Fast farm east of Decatur. Max L. Barett, sanitary engineer of the northeastern branen office of the health department, in a letter to the spokesman for . the remonstrators, W. B. Ryf\ said . . . “The sanitary landfill operated by Mr. Fast has been Inspected and has always been found in good condition. (We) feel that the operation of a sanitary landfill will not create a public health problem.” "Onte acceptable method (of dia- 1 posing of garbage),” said Barrett, “is (by means of sanitary landfill, which |is the method employed by Mr. Fast on'his farm. This system consists of placing the garbage and refuse in a prepared trench, compacting the material, and finally covering it with at least two feet of earth. (This covering) will eliminate flies, rodents and other insects or vermin. Un ground similar to that fpund on the Fast farm ft is doubtful that contamination of residential water wells of moderate depth will result if the fill is located more than 100 T feet from the wells. In order to be safe we feel that a fill should not be an? closer than 290 or 300 feet from any nearby homes. There are no public health reasons for this separation distance, but to avoid offending the aesthetic values (sense of beauty) or the public nuisances or noise, etc., we do suggest this separation.” There was apparently some question in the mind of the city attorney, Robert S. Anderson, as to whether the opinion read of the state board of health constituted a legal last word in' the remonstrance action. Gome further action seemed indicated.

Assure Europe United States There To Stay \ Two Top American Cabinet Officials Reassure Europe PARIS, UP —The two top American cabinet officers reassured worried Europeans today that the United States is in Europe to stay and that it hopes to contribute some of its atomic weapons secrets as proof. Secretary of state John Foster Dulles and secretary of defense Charles E. Wilson took advantage of the final “business” session of the three-day North Atlantic Coun cil meeting to set the record clear on U. S. intentions. The two spoke to an ultra-secret gathering of the defense and foreign ministers —and some finance ministers—attending the North Atlantic treary organization conference. The session lasted from 11 a.m. to 12:45 a.m. According to one source, the two Americans made these points: 1. Failure of the European army project will have the most serious nsgsrerwriong Mtesongrgus. It may mean a complete overhaul of American strategy. But the United States is committed to the NATO idea and has no intention of pulling down the western alliance because it recognizes the value of that organization to the United States. 2. The United States still is planning in terms of the creation' of a European army. This not only will put 12 German divisions into the NATO armiep but will serve as a gesture of continental and, particularly. Franco-German trust in the alliance. The alternatives to EDC are obvious and the U. S. congress will be thinking of them if France fails to ratify the treaty. Dulles did not mention the alternatives, but he made clear they did not include the withdrawal of all American troops. 3. The United States is doing everything possible to keep the door open to negotiation with the Soviet Union despite skepticism about Soviet intentions. The Ei senhower atomic bank proposal and the plan for a Jan. 4,Berlin meeting of the foreign ministers are proof. The United States is "hopeful” the Berlin parley will take place at that time, but doubts (Conti* wed ob P**e Five) Charles Kirchner Dies This Morning Funeral Services Saturday Afternoon Charles G. Kirchner, 74, retired Preble township farmer, died suddenly of a heart attack at 8 o’clock this mornipg at his hotne, 121 North Ninth street. He had been ill since suffering a cerebral hemorrhage three weeks ago. He was born in Preble township April 23, 1879, a son of Edward and Elizabeth Bender-Kirchner, and was married to Molly Schlickman Nov. 27, 1952. He was a lifelong resident of Preble township until moving to Decatur a year ago. Mr. Kirchner was a member of St. Paul’s i Lutheran church it Preble. | . Surviving in addition to his wife are a son, Edward of Preble; two daughters, Mrs. William \ Macke and Mrs. Carl Menter, both of Preble; six grandchildren, and two sisters, Mrs. Otto Bieberich of Kirkland township and Mrs. Augusta Hagist of Oakland, Calif. Funeral services wil be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Zwick funeral home and at 2 p.m. at St.. Paul’s Lutheran church at Preble, the Rev. Otto C. Busse officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call at tha funeral home after 7 o’clock Thursday evening until time of the services.

Cotton Farmers For Curb On Production Landslide Vote For Ma rketi ng Quotas WASHINGTON, UP —The agriculture department announced today that the nation’s cotton farmers have voted overwhelmingly to submit to production curbs rather than surrender high price supports next year. ; The landslide vote for federal marketing quotas now leaves it up to congress to decide just how big a cutback will be involved in the program, which will put more basic crops under federal production control than at any time since before World War 11. The department said that unofficial returns from Tuesday’s referendum in 20 cotton producing states show that about 93.2 percent of the 4178,183 farmers who voted favored quotas. The actual vote: 445,427 for; 27,899 against, and 4,807 challenged. < Although the total vote was the smallest of eight quota referendums held since 1938 and represented less than half of the estimated eligible voters, the percentage in favor was close to the largest ever. This is certain to be used by farm leaders as more evidence that farmers want price supports pegged high and held- high when congress considers extension of the present support program next year. Wheat farmers last August voted 7-1 for a quota program on their crop next year;' corn producers face compulsory acreage allotments ; tobacco controls have been voted in; and Tuesday peanut producers and growers of extra-long staple cotton also approved controls on their crops. Decatur Lions Hear Luther Meyer Speak Tells Os Communist Infiltration In U. S. Decatur Lions Tuesday night heard a talk by a member of the state un-American activities committee on how Communists have insinuated themselves into many phases of life in the U. S. and the way faulty American foreign policy has helped the Red menace. Luther Meyer, of Indianapolis, making his first talk in a public assembly, divided his talk into four major points: U. S. foreign policy . . . The U. S., he said, has had a policy during the past 25 years that has been pro-Russian and appeasing; but the past five years have seen a change into a positive “containment” policy. Meyer said the U.S., through its Marshall plan, has been trying to free European industry by giving money aid. Russian foreign policy . . . Secrecy, he held, has been the main tool for obscuring the Soviet goal, what is called the “Iron Curtain.” 'Russia has been using China as a “pivot” for gaining her ends in the east since 1900. Her aim — to convert the world to Communism. Communism in the U. S. . . . The underground Commies here consist of 4,000 Russian-trained agents; party members in America number 30,000; fellow travelers, those who go along with Russian dictated policy without belonging to the Communist party, number one-half million; and another-one-half million who are sympathizers, lend their support to jpte Kremlin cause. Communists operate, he maintained, in four major American phases of life: Education, labor, religion and entertainment Meyer said there are a number of college professors who have been “planted” in large universities around the country who are key men that Mt up “Cells" designed to Indoctrinate students tp Communist thinking. \

Price Five Cents

No Decision For Sharing Atom Weapons Says Atomic Energy Act To Be Changed If Weapons Shared WASHINGTON UP — President Eisenhower said today he had not decided whether to ask congress for permission to share actual atomic weapons with North Atlantic treaty forces. The President said at his news conference that the atomic energy act will have to be changed to permit closer atomic cooperation with America’s allies. At a crowded meeting with reporters, his first since the Big Three conference at Bermuda. Mr. Eisenhower also made these points involving atomic energy and the international scene: 1 1. He disclosed that Russia was notified in advance by U. S. Ambassador Charles E. Bohlen of his atoms-for-peace speech to the United Nations general assembly last week. He said no reaction had come from Russia except what had appeared in the newspapers. 2. He said he contemplated no changes in this country’s atomic energy taws which would have the effect of disclosing our scientific processes involved in nuclear fission or the production techniques for actual weapons. 3. He said that should Russia reject his atomic pool proposal that Would not stop him from trying to make the best possible use of the plan. He included, however, in this discussion a reminder that no definitive word had been received from Russia and pending receipt of such knowledge one way or the other, he did not want to discuss what future steps this nation might take. 4. He disclosed that his atomic plan was designed intentionally to avoid an' automatic requirement for international inspection of atomic facilities lest such a requirement give the Russians cause for automatic rejection of his proposal. The chief executive's discussion of how far this country would go in turning over atomic weapons and information to U. S. allies stemmed from a report from Paris. Defense secretary Charles E. Wilson was quoted as saying the Eisenhower administration is prepared to seek legislation permitting this country to share with NATO “pertinent information on nuclear and other weapons.” Questioned about this, the President said certain changes in the law must be made before this country can realize the full value of its allies. Mr. Eisenhower said it is foolish to think that this country should not share some kind of information with its aliles. He explained, however, that there is no intent to give any other, country information on production of atomic weapons. Good Fellows Club I Previous total 1 $342.64 A Friend 1.00 A Friend 5.00 Elks benefit party donation 128.50 Elks lodge 50.00 Total $527.10

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