Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 52, Number 94, Decatur, Adams County, 21 April 1954 — Page 1

Vol. LIL No. 94.

No Troops To Indo-China H Wy w «s E . Hk ” jM H FOLLOWING A SECRET SESSION briefing on south east Asia by Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, Senate GOP policy chairman Homer Ferguson tells newsmen ut Washington that he can “foresee no reason td send American troops to Indo-Chlna.”

Saw Dickenson Trading Food Meant For 111 Former Prisoner Gives Testimony At Court Martial WASHINGTON, UP—A former fellow prisoner who admits hating Cpl. Edward S. Dickenson testified today he saw Dickenson trading away food intended for sick men in a North Korean prison camp. The testimony wae given by Sgt John A. Davis, Niagara Falls; N, Y" in the court martial of Dickeneap. whq* is acvjlfed of having Ueen an informer wed collaborator with Chinese Communists while a prisoner of war at Pyokpoing, North Korea. Davia, a pint-sized veteran of six years army service, said he knew Dickenson “was trading chow" intended for sick prisoners because “I saw him do it." He said he saw Dickenson receive tobacco, cigarettes, and Chinese candy in exchange for the food. Davis said he also saw Dickenson deny food to a sick man. although there was food in the pot, and push the man down the . stairs with the result that his leg was paralyzed about half a day. Cpl. Robert E. Vincent, Ayer, Mass., testified Dickenson and another fellow prisoner wrote a prize • winning articles for, .the Communist - run camp newspaper) He said he saw Dickenson in frequent association with Chinese Communist camp instructors. Vincent said the prize-winning article was against American capitalism, and reflected the Communist arguments that the United States vjps participating, with germ warfare, in a civil war. Vincent quoted Dickenson as telling him on one occasion that "if you ever get out of here alive you’ll be fighting some place else.” He said war would be waged by "American capitalists, so they can fill their pockets with money.” Col. C. Robert Bard, chief prosecutor in the court martial of the Crackers Neck. Va.. mountain boy. said he had about 40 witnesses who were held with Dickenson in a prison camp at Pyoktong between November. 1950, and their repatriation in August, 1953. The prosecution was openly surprised.however, al the failure o. the first five called Tuesday to directly connect Dickenson with some of the crimes of w-hich he is accused. They frequently said t h »j. couldn't recall when pressed for details about pro-Com in unist writ-’ Inge and broadcasts of which Dickenson is accused. Nor did they agree on the charge that Dickenson tried to influence others to accept Communist doctrines. Dickenson sat almost expressionless through most of the testimony but did flash an occasional smile at his fellow ex-prisoners as they faced him across the 30-foot wide courtroom. ’ They included his former foxhole buddy Cpl. Thomas A. Carrick. Blackburg, Va., who gave what the defense considered the most damaging testimony so far. Carrick said he overheard Dickenson tell a Chinese Communist about the escape plans of himself and three others. He eaid, however, he had no prejudice*.against Dickenson and they exchanged faint grins.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Plan Commission Approves Addition Approval Presented To City CounciJmen Approval by the city plan commission of Gage’s second addition, seven residential building lots in the south part of Decatur, was presented to the city council at Tuesday night's regular meeting. The owners of the block-long property were asked by the council to present a dedication and restricted covenant, prior to council action on annexation. Arthur D. Suttles, local real estate and insurance man, who represented the owners, Mrs. Georgia Gage, assured the council that the dedication would be prepared immediately. Qty attorney Robert Anderson was*’ authorized to prepare an annexation ordinance for the May 4 meeting of the council. Annexation would be the next step to bring the property into the corporate limits. Suttles said that six new homes would ’be constructed in the new area immediately. Lawrence Kohne appeared before the council and revived an old issue, the Schinneyer street sewer. An advertisement for bids on the improvement four years ago went unanswered by contractors, because at that time, it was necessary to cphatrnct 4m. sewer under the Barrett law. The council promised Kohne that a new study would be made and the unofficial consensus of opinion among councilmen was that the summer program would omit construction of the Tenth street lateral, and the replacing of the Schinneyer street improvement next on the construction list. Councilmen told Kohne that they would make an effort to work out a solution for residents of that area before next autumn. City attorney Robert Anderson was authorized by the council to prepare an ordinance making Ninth street a preferential street. The action was taken following report of another automobile mishap at Madison and Ninth streets. lions Club Plans Election In May First Nomination Os Officers Held Nomination of officers was featured at the meeting of the Lions Club Tuesday night at the K. of P. home. The elation-will take place in May. The slate of candidates includes president, Ben Webster; first vicepresident, Frank Lybarger; second vice-president, Fred Corah and Bob Worthman: third vice-president, Clenn Ellis and Alva Lawson; secretary, Merritt Alger; treasurer, Frank Rowley and Dick Macklin; lion tamer, Ray Heller and Tom Haubold;, tail twister, Bud Anspaugh and Harry Schwartz,-and two directors, Russell Acker. Weldon Bumgerdner, Glenn Mauller and Roy Price. Other nominations will be allowed from the floor at the next meeting. The nominating committee, hekded by Ron Parrish, included Harry Knapp and Norman Steury. Speaker for last night’s meeting was Dick Heller, who discussed newspaper operation and the history of the Decatur Daily Democrat.

Secy. Wilson Backs Hensel Over Charges McCarthy's Charge On Hensel Brings Flat Disagreement WASHINGTON. UP — Defense secretary Charles E. Wilson today flatly disagreed with Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy’s charges of "misconduct” leveled against assistant defense secretary H. Struve Hensel. Wilson described Hensel at a nows conference as a “competent, honest man." He said that if he did not believe that, Hensel "would not be in his present assignment.” Asked whether he agreed with McCarthy’s charges of "misconduct and law violations,” Wilson said, “no." Asked whether Hensel masterminded the army’s report on McCarthy, as the Wisconsin Republican charged, Wilson said “(5f course not." McCarthy made the surprise charges Tuesday. Televised hearings in the McCarthy-nrmy feud start before the senate investigating subcommittee Thursday. McCarthy’s charges posed another question for the subcommittee to decide —should they be formally considered during the hearing? McCarthy said Hensel drew np the army's case against him in an effort to head off an investigation for “misconduct and possible law violation.” Hensel retorted that McCarthy was "lying" and challenged him to repeat the charges without senatorial immunity. McCarthy has deferred doing this so far. Wilson said he became aware of McCarthy’s inquiry into Hensel's affairs “a couple of weeks ago" and asked Hensel about it. Asked whether he was satisfied with Hensel's explanation, Wilaon answered "As I understand it, I was.” The ’secretary said * ttyt IE! whole army - MeGm*h> z row has not "done any good” to morale in the defense setup. He said one result was to complicate his problem of getting men to take top jobs. They are reluctant, he said, "if they are going to get worked over unfairly."

McCarthy’s charges against Hensel revolved around Hensel's connection with a ships’ supply firm now in the process of liquidation. McCarthy charged Hensel was the “dominant force" in organlz—V” (Turn T® Pane Six) Dallas Goldner Is Found Dead Tuesday Funeral Services Friday Afternoon Dallas E. B. Goldner, 67, of 1323 West Monroe street, well known Decatur man, took his own life by hanging in the basement of the Zion Evangelical and Reformed church Tuesday afternoon. His body was found about 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon, and he apparently had been dead since about 1:30 p.m. ; - Mr. Goldner had been custodian of the church since 1951. Despondency over ill health was blamed for his act. He was an employe of the Mutschler Packing Co. for many years, and after the plant was closed, he became an employe of the General Electric company in this city, where he worked until his retirement in 1952. He had continued as church custodian since his retirement. He was born in Preble township June 26, 1886, a son of Lewis and Mary Broadsword-Goldner, and was married to Emma Weldler April 26, 1922( • ■ Mr. Goldner was a member of the Zlon Evangelical and Reformed church and the men's brotherhood of the church. Surviving are his wife; two daughters, Miss Kathryn Ann Goldner, a student at Ball State Teachers College, Muncie, and Miss Janet Goldner of Decatur, Ill.; one son, Dr. Richard D. Goldner, associated with the Ypsilanti state hospital at Ypsilanti, Mich.; three sisters, Mrs. Henry Mennewlsh of Fort Wayne, Mrs. Katherine Fuhrman of Grove City, O.; and Mrs." Amelia Shady of Columbus, O.; three brothers, Edward of Lansing, Mich., Elias of Preble and Fred of Decatur, and one grandchild. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Friday at the Zwick fueral home, the Rev. William C. Feller officiating. Burial will be in the Decatur cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 7:30 o’clock this evening.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday, April 21, 1954.

Reveal United States * • \ Planes Ferry French Troops To Indochina

U. S. Willing For Negotiated Indochina Pact Negotiated Peace Acceptable If No Surrender To Reds WASHINGTON, UP —The United States made it plain to the world today that it will welcome a negotiated peace in Indochina as long as it is "honorable” and is not a surrender to Red China. Vice President Richard M. Nixon declared this emphatically in a Cincinnati, Ohio, speech Tuesday night. Secretary of state John Foster Duties said about the same thing a few hours earlier. It was learned tne two statements were aimed at European fears — fanned by Soviet propaganda — that the United States is determined to block any kind of negotiated settlement on Indochina at next week’s momentous Geneva conference. Foreign diplomats here welcomed the conciliatory words. They were not unduly optimistic, however, about the chances of getting a' settlement agreebale to both the United States and the Communists- —

Nixon declared that Dulles’ wt>uld “stand in opposition toMHiy settlement wlpch mean* surrender In Indochina" at Geneva. He warn- 1 cd that Indochina’s loss could shift the world balance of power so that “the Kremlin would think it is time for a world war." The administration’s goal, said the vice president, is to try to hold Indochina without committing. U. S. troops, “if we can.” He said the policy now being developed offers the best chance for doing this. As he left for Europe and the Geneva meeting, Dulles said this (Tarn To Pace Six) 71 Registered At St. Joseph School Another exceptionally large first grade class is expected by St. Joseph’s grade school for the 1954-55 school year as indicated by the 71 children who were registered Tuesday morning and afternoon at the school. This number is one less than last year’s registration, which was 72. Other enrollments may be expected by the time school re-opens in September. The present first grade numbers 82 pupils. The continued large enrollments may necessitate an addition to the grade school faculty. Yost Is Low Bidder On New Plant Sewer Sewer Is For New Diesel Power Plant Yost Construction Co. of this city was low bidder on construction of the city light and power sewer to connect with the new PorterHomewood sewer in the northwest part of Decatur. The low bid was $12,253.30 and includes the con.-, struction and connection of a sew- 1 er for the new diesel power plant in the northwest part of Decatur. The only other bid submitted to the board of works at Tuesday night’s meeting was one by Baker and Schultz of Decatur. That bid was 118,663.70 with an alternate addition of $1,732.50 for gravel back-fill and another alternate of . an additional $519.90 if vitrified tile was substituted. Both bids were turned over to Ralph E. Roop, city engineer, who was authorized to check the offerings with the specifications and determine to whom the contract should be awarded. The sewer will be used exclusively by the’llght and power company and no tap-ins will be per- : mitted- Construction will start as ; soon as the contract is finally awarded, city officials indicated.

Two-Headed Baby Dies Late Tuesday • • * » • * World Famed Baby Is Taken By Death PETERSBURG, Ind. UP — A tiny coffin in the modest home of the Cectl Hartleys today bore the body of their world famed twoheaded baby who survived a ; month-long siege of pneumonia only to die suddenly of a recurrent respiratory infection. 1 Tito infnnt was stricken Tuesday afternoon and died about three hours later in an. oxygen tent at Daviess county hospital in Wasnington, Ind., where it was born four months earlier. ... (Dr. J. W. Elbert of Petersburg sai dhe was called by Mrs. Hartley when the baby showed signs of labored breathing. He said the child developed a "blue condition" and had a fever of 105 degrees in both heads. Elbert and 'Mrs. Hartley, who was at her baby’s bedside when he died, rushed the infant, to the hospital where physicians tried to revive the weakened <baby with oxygen. The left and weaker side; christened Daniel Kay, died at 4:55 p.m., and the heart on the right side, named Donald Ray, ; stopped beating 15 minutes later. ’ Physicians said acute heart dilatation was a’coritrlbutdry cßjise 'of death. ♦ Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at the General Baptist church in Glezon where the family lived in a log cabin prior to the birth of the medically rare infant. The Rev. Grover Krieg will officiate and burial will be at nearby Martin cemetery. The baby had returned home" to a newly-built nursery only last week after his lengthy bout with pneumonia. The .weakening illness occurred in mid-March and he was taken to Riley hospital for children in Indianapolis for treatment.’ The infant remained at Riley nearly a month, including three weeks in an oxygen tent, before he was declared “fully recovered” and taken home April 12. INDIANA WEATHER Shower* and thunderstorms tonight and over east and south portions Thursday, turning cooler. Low tonight 55-62, high Thursday 60-70. 51 Pupils To Make First Communion Services May- 2 At St. Mary's Church A class of 51 pupils in the second grade at St. Joseph's grade school will receive first Holy Communion Sunday, May 2. The Very Rev. Msgr. Joseph J. Seimetz, pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic church, hopes to have the new church completed in time for the first communion mass. Those who will receive first communion are Jon Alberding, Ronald Thomas Fairchild, James Ford, William Fullenkamp, Larry Gage. James Geimer, Stephen Geimer, Ben Hebble. Carl Heiser, Joseph Hess, Roberto Scmldt Hinojos A Robert Jaurigue. Donald Kaehr, Edward Kohne., Michael Kuhnle, John LaFontaine, Daniel Lose, James McGill, Richard Omlor, Eugene Peterson, Richard Roudebush, j Frederick Schurger. Gregorio Villarrial, Ralph Vergara, William Winchester. Karen Andrews. Mary Kay Ellenberger, Joan Case, Joyce Greasley, Ann Gross. Mary Ann Holthouse, Sharon Keller, Jo'yce Kessen, Mary Lou Kltson, Carmen Dopes; Kathleen Meyer, Barbara Miller, Alicia Morales, Patricia Powell,- Mary Lou Rickford, Ann Schurger, Minnie Serna, Antoinette Vergara, Trlnida Vergara. Alice Voglewede, Patricia Walter and Anita Zintsmaster.

Sen. Capehart Lashes Head Os Home Builders Accuses Builders Os Responsibility In Current Abuses WASHINGTON UP — The president of the national association of home builders today received a senator's tongue-lashing for saying the federal housing scandal investigation is being conducted in a "circus atmosphere.” Chairman Homer E. Capehart (R-Ind.) of the senate banking committee turned his ire on R. G. Hughes, a Pampa, Tex., builder who is president Os the organization. Capehart also accused the builders themselves of being responsible for the current “abuses” in the federal housing program. Hughes had barely begun his statement defending the federal housing administration as the backbone of the nation's building industry when he was brought up short by Capehart. Capehart said that Hughes seems to have shown a “changed attitude” from last week when he put out a press release saying that the investigation of the housing scandals was beipg conducted in a “circus atmosphere” giving the publip a “false impression” of the FHA. Capehart angrily read from the association’s press statement saying that investigations make “good headlines" but that it should not be forgotten that the alleged abuses covered only a very small percentage of the entire federal mortgage insurance program. “Why did you put out this statement embarrassing this committee and the President of the United States?" Capehart demanded. Hughes quietly responded he hud "no Intention” of trying to embarrass the President. * ' “I do not appreciate such publicity statements,” Capehart snapped. The statement, he said, was a (Turn Te Pane* Kight) Mrs. Emma Johnston Dies This Morning Funeral Services Friday Afternoon Mrs. Emma A. Johnston, 66, of 803 West Monroe street, died at 2:20 o'clock this morning at the Adams county memorial hospital following a month’s illness of complications. She was born in Adams county Aug. 23, 1887, a daughter of Joseph and Ada J.- Wolfe, and was married to Frank Johnston May 18, 1907. Her husband died several years ago. Mrs. Johnston was a member of the Nuttman Avenue United Brethren church. Surviving are six daughters, Mrs. Golda Strieby of Chicago, Mrs. 6orothy Robintfon of Dgcatur, Mrs. Nellie Alspach of Gary, Mrs. Mary Colter of Decatur, Mrs. Eileen Hess of Gary and Mrs. Donna Roop of Toledo. O.; three sone, Ollie Johnston of Crown Point, Herbert of Gary and Merlin, at home; 19 grandchildren ; six great - grandchildren; four sisters, Mrs. Bertha Schmidt of Charlotte, Mich., Mrs. Rena Hamrick of Monroe, Mrs. Ethel Andrewsf and Mrs. Dessie Howard of Decatur, and four broth'ers, William Wolfe of LaGrange, George of Fort Wayne, Charles of Kingsland and Lloyd of Monroe, Mich. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Gillig & Doan funeral home and at 2 p.m. at the Nuttman Avenue United Jirethren church, the Rev. Paul Parker officiating. Burial will be in the Ray cemetery west of Monroe. Friends may call at the funeral home after 7:30 o’clock this evening until time,of the services. The casket will not be opened at the church.

Far East Survey By General Van Fleet To Make Survey Os Military Programs WASHINGTON, UP — Defense secretary Charles E. Wilson announced today that retired Gen. James A. Vaa Fleet will go to the’ Far East May 1 to make a survey tor President Elsenhower "of our military assistance programs." . Wilson also confirmed an anr nouneement from Wiesbaden.-Uv**-t many, that the U. S- air force is , transporting French Union troops ' to Indochina. The secretary said this action should not be considered as a step toward further involvement of the United States in the Indochinese war. The American planes, he said, will land at air fields outside the . combat zones. Wilson said that Van Fleet, for- , mer Bth army commander in Korea, will leave May 1 for Korea and Formosa. His mission, the sec- ' retary said, is not connected with Indochina. The airlift operation from Europe, Wilson said, “is in line with present U. S. policy and in con- ( formity with our existing military -assistance program.” He told reporters he did not ' foresee any possibility that U.S. ' ground forces would have to fight in Indochina. He said ho plan in- " volving such a possibility is eyen under study. Wilson conceded, however, that ' "My crystal ball may be clouded.” , • V Railroads To Repair Crossings In City Pennsylvania, Erie To Repair Crossings Two of Decatur'S three railroad companies have, answered the request of the city council for repair of their crossings in the city by voicing theif willingness of cooperation. Pennsylvania railroad employes already have started the repair work. Officials of the Erie railroad company also have reported to city officials that on completion of an inspection this week of Erie crossings in Decautr, repair work will start immediately. The first crossing to be repaired by the Pennsylvania employes was on Washington street in the northwest part of the city. Traffic was blocked for several days and the crossing now Is reported to be in good condition. Work on Pennsylvania crossings will continue until all repair work is completed, officials of that company asserted. No word has been received from Nickle Plate officials concerning the request that employes of that company cheek the crossings and make necessary repairs. Letters from the Pennsylvania and Erie railroads were read into the records at the Tuesday night session of the city council. Other Council Action A letter also was read to councilmen from city school superintendent W. Guy Brown, inviting all city officials to a public meeting at Deeattir high school Friday night at 8 o'clock at which time members of the Indiana University school survey commission will make a final report on the Decatur school survey. Two rural electric line contracts were approved by the council. They were for Bernard Hain, Root township, and Fred Schamerloh, Union township. A letter from Baldwin* LimaHamilton Co., contractors ‘for installation of the new diesel plant in Decatur, confirmed the fact that the pre-payment of $419,198.75 paid by the city in advance for the diesel engine in 1951 had earned a total of $13,911.64 in interest. Officials of the concern said that the amount would be credited ' to the city’s account and that a ' final billing for installation of the engine would be submitted soon. ■ The city has not yet accepted (Turn T® Pan® Kight) ’

Price Five Cents

Huge Airlift Is Carrying French Troops Longest Military Airlift In History Conducted By 11. S. - PARIS, UP—United States air I forw plane? aee ferrying French 11 Union troops to Indochina in a i gigantic 8,500-mile airlift direct from France and North Africa, it i was revealed officially today. > It was the longest military air- » lift in history. i First troops to go were more than 600 crack French paratroop commandos rushed from Franca i’ to aid the hard-pressed defenders cf the surrounded Bien Bien Phu - . garrison. The commandos were membess i of the French 7th colonial bat- • talion based at Quimper, France, i They marched aboard U. S. air force C 124 Globemasters at Orly . airport outside Paris Tuesday and , were scheduled to land in Indo- . china Thursday. A U. S. air force spokesman at Wiesbaden, Germany, disclosed . American planes picked up other ’ French Union forces in North ’ destined for the Indochina battle, “The North African transport was not very large," lie said, adding that further ferrying flights I from North Africa were unlikely. Informed sources said the United States threw the air bridge nearly halfway around the world after Gen. Henri E. Navarre reported from the Indochina battlefront that he urgently needed infantry and particularly parachutists if he is to hold besieged Dien Bien Phu. ft reflected American readiness to support France to the maximum in her swaying battle with the 1 Reds in Indochina. In Washington, defense segre* ■ Ury Charles E. Wilson said the ' fact that the U. S. air force is ■ transporting French troops should I not be considered as a step toward 1 further involvement in the war. Asks Supplies I HANOI. Indochina, UP — Brig. 1 Gen. Christian De Castries, commander of Dien Bien Phu, appealed today for more food and ammunition for his weary defenders of the beleaguered garrlcon. De Castries, in a radio-telephone conversation with headquarters officials in Hanoi, likened the parachute drops to "a blood transfusion." Taking advantage of a lull in ground fighting, De Castries put his desperately tired men to work stringing barbed wire and fortifying positions around the main airstrip which are still held by French Union forces. Communist artillerymen sniped with 75 mm. shells at the soldiers as they strung-more wire around (Turn To rase Elrbt) » .. Miss Mary Mersman Dies Tuesday Night. Funeral Services Friday Morning Miss Mary Mersman, 72, a long resident of Decatur, died at 11:30 o’clock Tuesday night at the Adams county memorial hospital following an illness of six months of complications. She was born in Adams county Nov. IS, 1881, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Mersman. Miss Mersman was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic church. Only surviving relatives are two nephews. Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Friday at St Mary’s Catholic church, the Very Rev. Msgr. J. J. Seimetx officiating. Burial will be In the Catholio cemetery. The body was removed to the Gilllg *" Doan funeral home, where friends may call after 2 o’clock Thursday afternoon.