Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 51, Number 305, Decatur, Adams County, 29 December 1953 — Page 1

Vol. LI. No. 305.

Jr.': Achievement Execs Huddle 4Mb ■ Wla Z jT |. * ••■BURI -4 dSL .... K^-j _. 3pT p I w—l B 4 M Tpdfrfc y M li gj/ W” % x w3 JRF > ' I r/f a I / - f w®* • JP*L WM I -1 HUDDLING over their business ventures seven te.en-age executives of Junior Achievement companies discuss the problems and successes of their miniature organizations. Embryo business men and women from eight midwesterp states will take part in the three-day conference of the, Mid-West Junior Achievement Association in Chicago. ,

Forest Fires Are Raging On In California , Flames Only 300 | z Yards Away l From | Famed Observatory | LOS ANGELES (UP) — Flames raged within 300 yards of famed Mt. Wilson Observatory today arid more men. were thrown into the fight against Southern California's two worst forest fires in 30 yeazk. -■ U. S. forest service officials sScjd the observatory housing the world’s second largest telescope wan tip the fringe of the the two uncontrolled fires whifh have burned more then 17.0&0 acres of valuable timberland. B . > Spokesmen skid “the situation has deteriorated’* on the larger ‘Mt. Wilson fire. The flames leaped fire-breaks in several spots. < But the forest service said ’’a break in the weather” might save the observatory, the Mt. Wilson j Hotel and eight Los Angeles ttwsvistton station transmitter towel’s from damage. High winds tapered off and gave fighters hope. X The larger fire, a 10,500 acre blaze, was located in steep mountain terrain of the Los Angelas national forest about 25 to 50 miles northeast of here and Hollywood. Clouds of smoke and fine ' ash fell ovefr a 50-mile area. 4 The Mt. Baldy fire was placed due east of>Mt. Wilson in the same San Gabriel range of mountains but was It was expected to be controlled today. ■.' _• 2- T Damage to timber and property was expected tn run into* the millions of dollars. Numerous summer homes went up in flames. | Firefighting teams manned 441 pumpers near the observatory summit tQ beat down,.the flames if they crackle closer. Reinforcements in the form sos 200 Indian forest fire experts were being flown here from Arizona . and New Mexico. \ 4 More - than 1,000 firefighters were maintaining the lines at both blazes? which have caused evacuation of more than 2.000 persons from homes and summer cabins. The U. S. forestry service said the largest fire, above Monrovia in the San Gabriel mountain < range, had destroyed 32 mountain a cabins in the big Santa Anita Canyon area and Ivy’s resort loc&e. \The area was evacuated before flames reached it. 4 The other fire was about 115 miles away in the Mt. Baldy gion, north of Claremont and Pojnona. It had destroyed 6,600 acres, including heavy timber, in the -San Dimas experimental forest ’ ■ ' . W. , National forest fire prevention officer Dick Johnson said the fires were the worst since 1924, and Janother official said they were potentially the most dangerous Jhe had ever seen. V ■ | INDIANA WEATHER j: Cold wave warning. Cold wave tonight anil Wednesday with falling to zero to 10 above by Wednesday morning. Partly cloudy. tonight and Wednesday with snow flurries extreme north and heavy snow squalls In Michigan City anil vicinity. High Wednesday 1&15 above north, 15-20 abovs ** south. ■ ?

DECATUR DAIIY DEMOCRAT .1 ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADRIMS COUNTY Si \ . » >’• . '

Form Committee To Study Conservancy 80 In Attendance At Meeting Monday .A district study and education committee was formed Monday night in Fort Wayne at a meeting of ] soil conservation men, county agents and Farm Bureau representatives to study the pros and cons of the proposed northeastern Indiana conservancy district '’Some 80 inen from the six countles involved—Adams, Allen, Wells, Noble, Steuben and DeKalb —-were in attendance and many gave vent to their confusion as to the aims and possibilities of the proposed district. Chairman of the meeting was Elmer Kolmerton, prominent Alien county farm leader; the meeting was arranged, however, by Thomas P. Riddle Jr., executive secretary of the Fort Wayne citizens civic association. Present as a "delegation from Adams county were five men, including Mayor John Doan, who outlined a few of the grievances of an Adams county conservancy district study group, of which he is president, which have been aired time and again in the past. The mayor’s lead/ was followed up by several other men /from the Interested counties who their own opinions. None of these opinions came out flatly in favor of the conservancy district bul expressed a desire to know more about it before signing or circulating any petitions. Riddle again gave his assurance that the district would not be brought into court without a representative number from other counties interested, besides Allen, showing equal interest in 'the scheme. Committees formed are as follows: Adams—Mayor John Doan; Delmare Wechter, legislative committee of Farm Bureau; Jay Yost, Adams county Farm Bureau; Ben Gerke, chairman of newly formed Adams couiuy soil conservation district. ; ' f . Allen —Alan Lamont, chairman of PMA: Herman Sorg, chairman of Allen county Farm Bureau; Arnold Thiele, agricultural extension service representative; Glenn Shank, chairman of Allen county soil conservation district. i Noble—Carl Houser, Farm Bureau; Darwin Bryan, chairman of Farm Bureau; J. L. Guthrie, 'Noble county agent; Bernard Haines, president of Noble county fair, Steuben—isaao Elster, farmer; Dean Cary, Osc*r WemhoTf, interested parties: Cecil Lepley, chairman of Steuben county Farm Bureau. DeKalb—Ernie J. Lesiuk, appointed to obtain three others to serve on his county group. • ‘ Wells —Dz E. France —to obtain three others -to serve from his county with him. American Savings Less Last Summer WASHINGTON, VP — Americans on the whole saved less money last summer than they did in toe summer of 1952, the sdfeurities & exchange (commission reported today. ' . It said savings totaled 33,300,000,00(7 during July, August and September of this year. This was about the same a* savings during April, May and June. But it was “Substantially” less than the total savings in the July to September period of 1962.

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Russia Frees Two Americans Held Two Years Two Held Captive Two Years Freed In Berlin Today BERLIN, UP — Two Americans held in captivity by the Russians for more than two years were released today by Soviet autharities in Berlin. V The Americans, Pvt. Homer H. Cox and Leland H. Towers, Were handed over at the Soviet Army headqvartet* at KevtaboraL United States officials announced. Only Monday, the state department in Washington had announced that the two were to be released. \ ‘ Cox, 33, is from Oklahoma .City. Towers, 39, is from San Francisco. Cox’s next of kin is his mother, Mrs. Edith Spencer, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Cox had been missing from his army military police postMn West Berlin since Sept. 22, 1949, and had been listed as absent without leave. Towers, a civilian, disappeared in Finland in 1951. Hi* mother said he came to Europe in 1948 to work his way through several countries. Disclosure that Cox, Towers and other were held la. captivity in Russia was made several months ago by German and Austrian prisoners whom \the Soviqta freed after up to eight yffirs of imprisonment. » j JW' United States Ambassador to Moscow, Charjgn E. Bohl/n demanded on Nov. 2, by order of the state department, that the Kremlin free Cox, Towers all other Americans held in Russia. A state department spokesman said Bohlen was advised last week of the Soviet government’s intention to free Cox and Towers. The first definite word that Cox and Towers were in Russian handr came in mid-October when Austrian World War II prisoners freed from the Soviet Union reported having seeh the Americans. They said the pair were being held in a prison camp some 150 miles from Moscow. The reports were confirmed a short time later byDutch prisoners released from the Soviet Union. The state and defense departments conducted a thorough survey to be sure there was no mistake. Then the United States fired a note to the Russians demanding release of the Americans. ' — '' January Transfer Os Adams Central v I ■ v ■■ I Transfer of student* and faculty of Adams Central high school will be made in mid January, a report made by Gall Grabill, county school superintendent, revealed. First to be moved from the Kirkland township building will be the high school students; with the transfer the building is to be completely vacated. Grade students will be transferred from rural schools in Monroe and Washington townships, in addition to those students from Kirkland, when the school is completed. The gymnasium, seating an estimated 3,000 people, is virtualy completed and will house the county tourney in January, i

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday, December 29, 1951

Rhee Urges U.N. Tq End Talks And Reopen Korea War With Communists

Dulles Voices Confidence On Laos Situation Believes Anti-Reds To Repel Invasion From Red Forces WASHINGTON. UP —Secretary of state John Foster Dulles voiced confidence today that the antl-Red forces in Indochina can repel the Communist invasion of Laos. He told a news conference that he saw no reason to get panicky over the Red offensive. But he said this government still maintains its serious view of the overall situation in all Indochina since it is a difficult struggle in which either side can attack at will. Dulles emphasized that he did not believe the overall military situation in Indochina had been seriously affected by the latest developments in Laos. American, military Intelligence authorities, he said, do not attach the same importance to the invasion that has been evident in the nation’s press. Senate Republican Leader William F. Knowland (Calif.) warned meantime that the free world will not Stand Mty by if the Commw ni&ts move on into Thailand. Knowland. long an advocate of a stronger Far Eastern policy, described the Laos attack as “serious” and said it is hard to say if the French can dush up enough forces to prevent it from becoming “critical.” Dulles reiterated previous administration warnings to the Chinese Communists that intervention in Indochina, or a renewal of hostilities in Korea, alight prompt Allied reaction not confined to the two theaters. His statement to this effect in the past has been Interpreted as meaning that retaliation might be directed at Red China itself. Today’s restatement of the warn(Contieued on Pane Ei*ht) Two Subdivisions To Be Opened In City Plan Commissionllk J Meeting Last Nigjft Two new subdivisions will oe opened in Decatur in the next ’ew weeks, it was disclosed Monday night following a meeting ot the city plan commission. Dedication application for the Herold E. Kirsch second t ddifion to the city Already has been filed with the city council was considered it the Monday meeting. The other subdivision, owned by Cal L. Yost division so be called Park View, is In the preliminary stage and will be dedicated soon. A The Kirsch addition. Involving a group of lots west of Thirteenth street on the south side of Nuttman avenue, at the present includes, 16 lots, eight of them facing on Niittman avenue. Following a discussion with the plan commission, John DeVoss, - attorney for Kirsch, was asked to prepare a new paragraph to the dedication and also to present a plan which would include only the lotd\ facing Nuttmah avenue. The- commlssidh then recessed so that final action on the proposal could be made prior to the council meeting January 5. _ Walter Gilliom, engineer for Yost, has prepared an informal sketch of the Yost addition whict is located east of (Mercer avenue in the south part of Decatur and includes 30 lota, varying in width from 60 to 140 feet Gilliom said that formal plans and dedication application would be soon. The two additions will give prospective home builders 40 or 50 lots to choose from in two good locations. Real estate men say that it is their, belief that the lots will be sold almost as soon as formal offerings are made.

fold Wave Warning Issued For Indiana Arctic Cold Wave | Scheduled Tonight '\'4 \ . - I INDIANAPOLIS UP — The preather bureau issued a special Irarhing today that an arctic cold rave will sweep over Indiana toight and Wednesday, accompanied y strong winds and heavy snowill near Lake Michigan. ? Temperatures were expected to Iplunge as low as zero to Hhabove by Wednesday morning. Winds will diminish Wednesday, with high temperatures from 10 to 18. | Weathermen said the cold front sweeping south from Canada will hit northern Indiana about 5:30 p.m. today, then move southward over the state. \ An early forecast warned of snow flurries in the extreme north tonight “and heavy snow squalls tin Michigan City and vicinity.” kFor the next five days, the reather bureau foresaw tempertures averaging 5 to 10 degrees normal maximums of 32 to 4? and minimums of 16 to 23. JJ The temperature drop tonight gnd Wednesday will be followed by Wowly moderating temperatures,” forecasters said. £ Precipitation Wednesday through Sunday was expected to average Jt tenth of an inch in the northwest to half ar tare> southeart. Snow was on tap Thursday or Friday, possibly mixed with rain in the Southeast. 1 Today’s highs were expected to range from 45 to 50. Evansytile’ll 45 was highest Monday, and readings were in the 20s throughout Indiana overnight. Byron Hays Speaks To Jefferson Club Attorney Speaks J At Meeting Here s i. ' “■ " • 7 Advice on organization of the pew Adams county Jefferson clu6 was given last night by J. Byron prominent 'Fort Wayne attorney from the firm of Hayes ! find Hayes at a dinner meeting jat the Hotel coffee shop. • speaking at the 2d meottbe organization, explained that the Alien county group had been-used As both a social and working group for thbse who were not members of the county committee, and as a forum to help heal party factionalism and to strengthen Democratic ideals in the local party. - A , 'Hayes pointed out this was an ideal time to form a new group as many people, especially the farmers, were becoming impatient with the Republican regime. Dur ing the past 35 years, he stated, -every 31 o<f farm income has generated an additional 37 in national income. This means that when the ‘larmeir loses $1 in. income, the nation loses 37. Understanding these facts, the farmers and city workers are becoming increasingly alarmed because the farmers of the, nation have lost 37 billiou in income since Republican Ekra Taft Benson was appointed secretary of agriculture, he stressed. I Before Hayes spoke. Democratic • county chairman Harry Hebble made a brief speech, in which he pointed out the fact that as county chairman he was expected to be -, completely neutral in the Democratic primaries. ? Prosecuting attorney Lewis Lutz Smith, chairman off the meeting, freed the proposed article ot organization, and they wereu nanimously accepted. iCounty clerk Edward F. Jaberg was chosen temporary In orjjer to elect officers who fire actively Interested in the club, it was decided to postpone *he election until the January meeting. ThC charter of the club will .-remain open until the February meeting, anyone who so desires may sign it until that time. The organizational committee. (TSrs Te Pa*e Eight)

French Pilots Half March Os \ Red Invaders - French Strike Back From Air, Ground At Red Invaders SAIGON, Indochina UP— French pilots flying American-built warplanes baited the southward march of Communist invaders with tons of bombs today while loyal ground forces in northern Indochina reported killing 500 Red rebels and capturing 500 guerrillas. .. The French struck back in the air and on the ground on two fronts in their first move to erase new gains made by Red-dominated Viet Minh forces which slashed Indochina in two last Saturday by driving to the Mekong River port of Thakhek in Laos on the Thailand, border. While FBF Bearcats and 826 bombers pounded rebel columns moving south from Thakhek to the French defense line at Savannakhet, ground troops mopped up Reds near Hanoi in the north/ The Communist radio renewed «* fiy broadcasting ajMeeh of Minh leader Ho “Our principal objective at the present time is to decrease world tension and to settle all international differences by negotiations,” Ho said. “The international situation is favorable for us. We know that peace will only be at \the cost of a bitter, painful and long struggle.* In' London, the British foreign office said “we are watching the situation with concern” in Indochina. Beyond Thailand lies the British colony of Malaya, where Britain is also waging war against Red terrorists, and the commonwealth nation of Burma. French and loyal Laotian forces laid mine fields, erected pilboxes, dug fox holes and strung miles of barbed wire around Seno Airfield in preparation for an expected Communist attack. \ There was an uneasy calm in the Thakhek sector. Sources reporting from Bangkok, Thailand,, said four truckloads of rebel troops entered , the assaulted river town «Ttera Te Pabe Ftve> Mrs. Fred W. Beeler Dies This Morning Dies Suddenly At • i Home Near Decatur Mrs. Amelia Beeler, 71, a lifelong resident ot Adams county, died suddenly of a heart attack at 11:30 o’clock this morning at her home one mile south of Decatur on U. S. highway 27. Her bddy was found by her husband, Fred W. Beeler, who had been out of the house only a tew minutes. / \ She was born at Linn Grove July 5, 1882, a daughter of David and Jane Heller-Meshberger, and was married to Fred W. Beeler May 11, 1903. \ Mrs. Beeler was a member ot the Bethany Evangelical United Brethren church. Surviving in addition to her husband are one* "daughter. Mrs. Ivan Stucky of Decatur; two sons, Lloyd Beeler of Winamac and Arthur Beeler ot Decatur; eight grandchildren; two brothers, Harry Meshberger ot Columbus and Rufus Meshberger of Linn Grove, and three sisters, Mrs. John Duff of Linn Grove, Mrs. Cora Sales of Bluffton and Mrs. David Moser ot Fort Wayne. One son, two brothers and one sister are deceased. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Bethany Evangelical United Brethren church, the Rev. Banj. G. Thomas officiating. Burial wIU be in the Linn Grove cemetery. The body was removed to the Zwlck funeral * home.

Plan Union Service On New Year's Eve Associated Churches To Sponsor Service , . A New Year’s eve watch night program sponsored by the Associated Churches of Decatur, will be held in the Bethany Evangelical United Brethren church, Winchester street, Thursday night The program will begin at 8:30 p.m, with a period of fellowship and recreation, designed especially .for young people, but all ages are invited, under the direction ot Lowell Smith, local high school teacher. This period will last until 9:40 p.m. From 9:45 until 10:15 refreshments will be served by the ladies of the host church. At 10:20 the new film, “The Hidden' Heart,” will be shown. This film was produced during 1953 by several cooperating denominations, and is an excellent stewardship film. At 11 o’clock a worship service will be held in the sanctuary in charge of the host pastor, the Rev. B. G. Thomas. The assembled congregation will unite in the celebration of the Lord’s The Rev. W. H. Kirkpatrick, pastor of the Church of God, will deliver the communion meditation. Pastor* of the other cooperating churchee will assist in the communion service. The people of DWcatur are invited t« attend thia watch night service apd to close the year 1953 In the spirit of Christian fellowship and worship. The committee of the Associated churches arranging the program consists of the Rev. B. G. Thomas, Herald Welty, Romaine Wood, William C. Feller, chairman, and Ralph Kenworthy. Bloodmobile Unit In Decatur Jan. 8 Appeal For Donors Issued By Chairman The first 1954 visit of the Red Cross bloodmobile to this city will be Friday January 8. and Mrs. Ed Bauer, county chairman. Issued an appeal for donors in the effort to meet the county’s quota of 150 pints. “We need 184 donors and 36 standbys to make the quota”, Mrs. Bauer said. The bloodmobile will be located at the American Legion home and reservations can be made by calling the Red Cross office. Donors will not be required to give extra time at the center if reservation* are made in advance. Mrs. Bauer explained that a specified hour would be assigned donors if they followed this suggestion. Citing that Decatur did not meet its blood quota last fall, Mrs. Bauer pointed to the very succesrful demonstration held in Berne in November, Berne exceeded the 150 pint quota by contributing 161 pints and approximately 184 donors turned out in support of the Red Cross appeal. “The Red Cross would like to start off the new year with a ful. quota and if donors enroll now, goal will be met on Jan. 8,” she said. Blood donated to the Red Cross is distributed among the hospitals in the local area and to the armed forces. 1 Predict New Year's Traffic Toll Os 360 CHICAGO, UP — The national safety council today predicted that 360 persons would be killed in traffic accidents during the New Year’s holiday. The figure, which will cover, the period from 6 p.m. Thursday to midnight Sunday, does not include those who will die later of injuries suffered during the holiday. The council commented that “a wonderful way to start the New Year woultf bo to start iL”

e Price Five Cents

Renews Pledge Not To Carry On War Alone Says Lasting Peace Possible Only If v Reds Driven Out SEOUL, Korea (UP) — South Korean President Syngman Rhee urged the United Nations today to stqp talking with the Communists and reopen the Korean war. /. But the iron-willed ruler reluctantly renewed his pledge that he would allow a peace conference 90 days to unify his country before risking any military action of his own. V In New Year’s greetings to the people of South and North Korea, the 78-year-old President made it clear he believed that lasting world peace can be achieved only by driving the Reds out of Korea. To assure that the three-year war was not fought in vain, Rhee asked his allies “to conclude futile discussions with the Communists, and to rise with u* in courage and valor for the last great battle to annihilate the Red forces that seek the destruction of the free world.” But Rhee said, he could not press the war alone. UnfUtehd RGK action “would have seriously affected our rela- - tions with friendly nations over* seas,” he said. In his holiday message to South Korea, the President said he believed the breakdown in conference negotiations was “final.” 3 Rhee put most of his warlike appeals in the message to South Koreans, although he told Koreans in the Communist north: ”We promise to come to your rescue just as soon as we possibly can.” He urged “every freedom loving individual in. the north to join with us in the great fight for this common cause.” There was no immediate reaction among South Korea’s allies to Rhee’s statement which probably will be broadcast to North Korea. - - Although Rhee has agreed with the United. States to observe the Korean armistice, he has reserved ~ the right to take unilateral action if the peninsula has not been unifled by Jan. 27. U. S. asst, secretary of state Walter S. Robertson said Rhee has kept all his promises and he beTwr» To Pact Rlrtet* ————— - j Floyd Acker Quits As City Official Resignation To Be Effective Friday Floyd Acker, 65, for six year* commissioner of the Decatur street and sewer department, has resigned his office and will go into retirement, effective Jan. 1, It ha* been announced by Mayor ‘John Doan. Appointed as acting street commissioner by Mayor Doan ha* been Clyde Johnson, for many years a member of the street department and M*i*tant td Acker since hl* appointment a* commissioner. Prior to entering public service, Acker was in business. Acker said he has no sfficial plans for the future, except to “stay at home.” Mayor Doan lauded Acker on the job he has done for the city: “Mr. Acker has done an excellent job of keeping the street, sewers and alleys In good repair during hi* tenure a* commissioner. I wish him the best of luck in the future and pleasure in his retirement.” . Mayor Doan has made no indication a* to whether the appointment of Johnson as acting commtesioner will be affirmed a* that department’s regular head.