Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 52, Number 289, Decatur, Adams County, 9 December 1954 — Page 1

Vol. Lil. No. 289.

Advice From An Old Hand 'J Wt. STROLLING through the lobby of Kansas City’s Hotel -Muehlbach. Gov.-elect Averill Harriman (left) of New York and newly-named chairman of the Democratic national committee Paul M. Butler (right) arrive for conference with an old friend. Former President Harry 8. Truman (center) conferred with both, and lunched with them at the hotel.

Postal Money Order Kiter Seized Here Man Arrested Here Wednesday; Admits Postal Operations The alertness of Earl Chase, and other post.office employes, resulted in the arrest Wednesday afternoon of Harold B. Routt, 53, who has confessed to a series of at least 17 thefts from the federal government In five states by raising 81 money orders to 1100 and cashing them. The heavy, balding man was arrested on Madison street between First and Second streets about 4 p. m. by police officer James Cochran after he had been followed from the post office by postmaster Leo Kirsch and assistant postmaster Robert Frisinge|'. The Decatur post office had received a warning Tuesday to be on the lookout for a man who identiflel himself as Harold Routt, and this notice had been posted in the post office near the money order window. Chase had read the notice. And was much surprised when the man appeared yesterday at the window and asked for a $1 money order. After making the sale, he notified the postmaster, who followed the suspect toward a service station at Second and Jefferson. The postmaster feared that the man was about to get -into an out-of-state car parked nearby, so he returned to the post office to lead the police officer to the spot, leaving Ftislnger to follow him. Later 1 j was discovered that the man was waling for a bus. and 'wins wadtag time by walking around. He soon turned, and went back up Second street, and turned down Madison. It was here that he was apprehended. Officer Cochran asked him f he was Harold Routt, and when he said yes, placed him under arrest, and handcuffed him. Under the questioning of police chief James Borders and deputy sheriff Merle Affolder in the pres-; ence of the post office employes, | Routt admitted that he had been involved in the money order rais-1 Ings, and also admitted spending 19 years behind bars at Michigan City for similar, offenses and forgery. He said that this was the first time he had ever been involved In a federal offense, however. 'Routt stated that he had been released on parole from Michigan City state prison where he was serving a term for forgery last February. He works, when not in prison, as a cook tor catering companies that fed railroad and pipeline crews all over the United States, He admitted passing between 3 and 5 coney orders in Kentucky, one in St. Louis, Mo„ three in East St. Louis, 111., three in Evansville, one In Washington, Ind., and one In Cincinnati, 0. Routt stated that he had purchased one money order yesterday in Garrett and two in Fort Wayne. In addition to the one in Decatur which led to his arrest. A search of his belongings in his room in a small Fort Wayne hotel by postal inspector R EBiteman turned up the equipment used in changing the ehecks Routt used" two kinds of ink eradlcator, which he brushed on the money orders with small, delicate brushes. He also had a large assortment of pens, inks, and defaced money (Continued on Pace Five) 14 -PAGES

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Icy Roads Blamed For Two Accidents Several Persons Reported Injured Icy road conditions were responsible for two accidents involving local people this morning within 15 minutes time and both approximately 10 miles south of Fort Wayne on U. S. highway 27. Several persons were injured in the two accidents including Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Sprunger of Berne; Mr. and Mrs. Morris Kaye of Fort Wayne, and Mrs. Alice Doenges of Celina, 0. The first accident occurred at 8:50 a.m. when a north bound car driven by Mrs. Caroline Thieme. 55. of Decatur, went out of control and left the road, hitting a fence. She summoned help from Mrs. Fred W. Berning, a farmer who resides nearby, , As Berning was attaching a tractor to the Thieme car, another north bound car driven by Mrs. Helen Doenges, 37, of Celina, O„ approached and stopped to give assistance. A passenger, Mrs. Alice Doenges, 65, got out of the car and was struck by a north bound car driven by Mrs. Geraldine E. Luhman of Decatur. The Luhman car was also skidding out of control when it struck Mrs. Doenges. The injured woman was taken to the Adams county memorial hospital suffering with a fractured left leg and several bruises and bumps. No skull fracture was evi-. dent. A few minutes later at 9:05 a.m. less than a mile down the highway, cars driven by Nathan Sprunger. 79, of Berne and Morris Kaye. 61, of Fort Wayne,” were involved in a ’ headon collision. Kaye stated that the northbound Sprunger vehicle went put of control as the south bound Kaye vehicle approached. The two drivers and their wives, who were passengers, were all taken to St, Joseph's hospital in Fort Wayne. Most seriously injured was Mrs. Sarah Kaye, 59. who suffered a skull fracture, chest injuries, sac ial lacerations and a broken wrist. Morris Kaye, former owner of the Kaye shoe store in Decatur, received lacerations, an injured jaw. fractured ribs and injuries to The Berne man received lacera both kneestlons above the right eye and behind the right ear. He is also suffering from possible hip fracture and a puncture wound in the back. He was unable to be questioned about the accident. His wife, Martha, 72, is suffering with shock and injuries in the back and leg. Former Tocsin Man Dies In Toledo Willis A. White, 78, former Hocsin resident, died Wednesday at a hospital In Toledo, O„ following an illness of several months. Surviving are four daughters, Mrs. Raymond Hodgkins and Mrs. Donald Sorden of Springfield, Pa., Mrs. Ernest Ebrite of Muncie and Mrs. Edward Seidel of Fort Wayne, and a son, David R. of Royal Oak, Mich. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p. m. Saturday at the Elzey & Son funeral home in Ossian, with burial in Fairview cemetery at Bluffton. ' „r*» INDIANA WEATHER Mostly cloudy with snow flurries extreme north, clearing south and central tonight and colder. Friday partly cloudy and colder. Low tonight 18-22. High Friday 25-32.

Japanese Name Hatoyama Today As New Premier Conservative Party Leader Is Elected As Prime Minister TOKYO (INS) —lchiro Hatoyama who was once barred from public life by the allied occupation because of fascist sympathies was elected prime minister of Japan today. Selection .of the, TTy ear-old leader of the Democratic party was achieved Ln a political compromise providing for a national election early next year. The lower house of the. diet (parliament) gave Hatoyama 257 votes against 191 votes for Taketora Ogata, leader of the Liberal party and deputy prime minister under Shigeru Yoshida who was ousted earlier this week. The vote was strickly along party lines with Socialists and Democrats supporting Hatoyama in what has been described as a "strange alliance” of political opposites. Yoshida, "Mr. Japan” to the world virtually since the end of the Pacific war, was not present for the vote. The upper house of the diet — the house of councillors — Approved the selection of Hatoyama, giving him 1:16 votes to 85 for Ogata. Hatoyama becomes Japan's fourth postwar prime minister and will head the seventh postwar cabinet which is expected to bring back to prominence several figures identified with Japan's war effort. In his first statement upon his election Hatoyama pledged to continue Japatn’s present relations with the United States, saying there will be "no change.” He added, however, that lhere will be “a little change" in Japan's trade policies with Red China. He previously stated he hopes to enlarge trade with Red China. After several hours of wrangling — which threatened tq hold up Hatoyama's election tor at least twenty-four house — the socialists agreed to support him in return for a pledge that the diet will be dissolved about January 28. This will mean the election would be held by early March, with possibly a new political complexion resulting in the government. Hatoyama who was “purged” from public life by General Douglas MacArthur in 1946 just as he was about to assume the premiership is known as an advocate of a “return to traditionalism.” He was purged because M his expressed fascist sympathies. (Continued on Paay Six) Mrs. B. J. Smith Dies Last Evening ” Funeral Services Saturday Morning Mrs. Elizabeth Emma Smith, 85, prominent Decatur resident, died at 5 o'clock Wednesday evening at her home, 403 West Madison street, following an illness of two years .of compications. 1 Mrs. Smith's husband, Benjamin J. Smith, a pioneer Decatur,drug gist, preceded her in death in September, 1929. She was born in Kenton, 0.. Feb. 8. 1869, a daughter oL Peter and Mary Forbing, but had lived in Decatur most of her lite. She was married to Benjamin J. Smith in 1891. Mr. Smith for many years was proprietor of the drug store on North Second street In this city, now the Smith Drug Co., operated by his son and daughter. Mrs. Smith was a member of St. Mary's Catholic church and the Rosary society. Surviving are one son, Elmo Smith, Decatur; three daughters, Misses Estella and Virginia Smith, both at home, and Mra. Rose Marie Klepper of Milwaukee, Wls.; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchild-ren; two brothers, Anthony Forbing of Milford and Vincent Forbing of Fort Wayne, Mrs. Bernadette Litot of Gary and Mrs. Gertrude Melnerdlng of Toledo, O. One ■on, Othmar Smith, died Dec. 10. 1945, and five sisters also preceded in death. < Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic church, the Very Rev. Msgr. J. J. Seimett officiating. Burial will be in the Catholic cemetery. The body was removed jto the Gilllg & Doan funeral home, where friends may call after 7 o'clock this evening until time of the services. The Rosary society will meet at 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMB COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday, December 9, 1954.

Russia Accuses U. S. Os Seizing Formosa To War On Red China T ' ' "" 'in ■■ ■■ iJisiiimi i ■■■■■■, .i.,... . r — .... . ..— ,v. . -

Democrats To Oppose Trial Run For UMT May Cold-Shoulder Universal Military Training Proposals WASHINGTON (INS) —Democrats In congress are reportedly planning today to cold-ahoulder a proposed “trial, run” of universal military training unless President Eisenhower gives it “ strong personal backing. At the same time, a powerful Republican who has previously opposed UMT Indicated he would not support it in some form. The plan worked out by the defense department for submission to the new Democratic-controlled Congress in January would provide for a voluntary UMT for 100.000 youths as part of the draft act renewal. The present selective service law expires on June 30. A survey of leading Democrats and Republicans, most of whom asked that their names not be used, indicated that the proposed program would clear both housesbut only if the President gives it a strong endorsement and if it is only temporary, for two or Jour ydars. :• Howevef, in hl« 1952 campaign, Mr. Eisenhower said UMT could not "be piled on top” of selective service although thifi, in effect, is what the Pentagon plan does. A Democrat source who declined to be quoted said. "I think we’ll wait on this UMT issue and see what the President does. It's unpopular among some people. Why should we antagonize UMT’s opponents unless the President says it is imperative." But Rep. Dewey Short (R M 0.,) now house Armed Services chairman, who led the floor. fight in 1952 against a proposal to~ launch UMT, indicated he expects to support it in some form. The defense department's plan now calls for six months'military training for 100.000 youths a year. Who Would then serve in the reserves for nine and one-half years, considerably longer than the reserve requirements for draftees and enlisted men. Short, who loses the chairmanship when the Democrats take over control of the house on Jan. 5, declared. "We may have to work out something that will train some youths without disrupting their education or the start ot their careers." The Missouri Republican said he has not developed a plan but is considering an arrangement under which youths could spend three (Contlnned on Page Kight) Daniel Burket Dies At Bluffton Home Funeral Services Saturday Afternoon Daniel Burkett, 77, former Kirkland township farmer, died at 6:30 a.tn. today at his home in Bluffton following a heart attack. He was born in Pennsylvania Mary Burket, the family moving' to Kirkland township when he was a small boy. He moved to Bluffton 25 years ago, and had been employed as high school custodian. Mr.. Burket’s wife, Verda, preceded him in death. He was a member of the First Methodist church at Bluffton. Mr. Burket was the last surviving member of his family. Mrs. James Stonerook of Decatur is a niece and Oliver Dellinger of Kirkland township a nephew. Funeral services wil Ibe held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Jahn funeral home In Bluffton, the Rev. Samuel Emerick officiating. Burial will be in Fairview cemetery. Friends may call at 1 * the funeral home after 7 o’clock this evening.

Arrest Printer For I Kidnaping Reporter Girl Is Unharmed By Jilted Suitor LAPORTE, Ind. (INS) — A 25-year-old printer’s apprentice was under police custody today for kidnaping at gunpoint a pretty girl reporter from her newspaper office and later releasing her unharmed. He is Robert Panek of LaPorte, who had been a rejected suitor of the girl he abducted, tall, blonde Abbie Johnson. Both Panek and the 22-year-old reporter are employed on the LaPorte Herald-Argus. The reporter was sitting at her desk in the office Wednesday when Panek stalked in brandishing a .22 caliber rifle. Panek brusnea asiae questions from other staff writers about the rifle and walked up to Miss Johnson's desk, pointed the weapon and said: “Come on Abbie, you're going with me.’’ He forced her down the stairs ahead of him and into his car. The reporter said Panek drove around for more than two hours and pleaded with her to marry him. At one point, as they were driving in the countryside, she said ' Panek threatened to kiU himself. When she disregarded the threat, which she said he had made before, he emptied the rifle and handed it to her, saying: "Here, take the gun. I don’t want to hurt anybody. I’ll drive you back to the office.” After releasing Miss Johnson, Panek drove around another two hours and then surrendered to police, who had been conducting a state-wide search. The reporter, who said she had dated Panek a few times, affirmed that at no time did Panek harm her or threaten her. Red Cross Awards Made In Decatur 46 Awards Made Here Wednesday Mrs. Selma Bernstein, of Fort Wayne, national field representative of the Red Cross, was present for the meeting Wednesday at the fire station when 12 persons received first aid instructor certificates and 34 received home nursing pins. The certificates and pins were awarded by Art Burris, chairman of the Red Cross first aid committee, and Miss Marie Felber, home nursing chairman. Mrs. Wanda Oelber was in charge in the absence of Earl Webb, county general chairman. The first aid instructors recognized were Catherine Andrews, Gerald Durkin, Huldah Farlow, Roy Gilliom. Karl Hilty, Iris I. Lehman, Viola O. Lehman, Gerda S. Mazelin, Robert J. Railing, Marion Robison. Betty Singleton and Ruth V. Railing. Home nursing pins were awarded to Mrs. Edith Kling. Mrs. Mildred Ehler, Mrs. Betty Feasel, Mrs. Mildred Buettner, Mrs. Zelma Buettner, Mrs. Robert Kruecke berg, Mrs. Bonnie Johnson. Mrs. Marcile Burke, Mrs. Marian Miller; Mrs. Marshall Hilpert, Mrs. Rosella Cookson. Mrs. Roger Singleton, Mrs. Evaline Roop, Mrs. Marguerite A. Rash, Mrs. Mary Drew, Mrs. Alvena Smith, Mrs. Bertha Lanning. Mrs. Adrian Girard, Mrs. Aemelia Holthouse, Marlene Ahler, Mrs. Tela Brokaw, Mrs. William Judge, (Continued on Page Six) BULLETIN VATICAN CITY (fNB) —A panel of specialists examining Pope Plus XII late today found a tendency toward slight disturbances and weariness of the heart, but considerable Improvement In his general condition since hie collapse last Thursday.

Says ’McCarthy Attack To Aid G.O.P. Unify National Chairman Soys Majority Os People Backing Ike WASHINGTON (INS) — Republican national chairman Leonard W. Hall declared today Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy’s attack on President Eisenhower assures the chief executive of ‘‘even greater unity and support” from GOP members of congress. Hall added: “I am equally certain that the overwhelming majority of the American people, both Republicans and Democrats alike, will continue to give the President and the Republican program their support, and in even greater measure than before.” Mr. Eisenhower, in declining at his news conference Wednesday to engage in public quarrel with McCarthy, suggested that Hall answer questions as to whether the senator's attack presented a danger to the Republican party. The President said that if McCarthy’s adherents wanted to follow him into a third party in 1956, "that will have to be their business.” Hall, previous to today’s statement, had denounced as • "major error” McCarthy’s charge, that Mr. Eisenhower displayed a “shrinking show" of weakness" toward Red China's torture” and Imprisonment of Americana. The GOP chairman said he had “personally checked key Republican leaders around the country” and taken a "representative sample of senate and house opinion” on the problem posed by McCarthy’s blast at the president. Hall said: “It is noteworthy that they almost uniformly and unhesitatingly went to the support of President Eisenhower, even though they took differing positions on the McCarthy issue in the recent senate proceedings.” - Meanwhile, Sen. Arthur V. Watkins (R-Utah) said that only the "lunatic fringe” of the GOP—"no genuine Republican”—would want to folldw McCarthy into a third party. —• The senator whose committee recommended censure of McCarthy voiced deep conviction that there will be no split in the GOP. Watkins figured In McCarthy’s charge that Mr. Eisenhower while showing “weakness” toward Red China "congratulated those who hold up the exposure of Communists.” The latter was aimed at Watkins and Sen. Ralph E. Flanders (RVt.) Mr. Eisenhower explained that he praised Watkins only for the “very splendid job” he did as chairman of the censure committee whose report resulted in McCarthy being “condemned” by the senate for abusive conduct. Mrs. Homer Walters Is Taken By Death Heart Attack Fatal To Former Resident Mrs. Homer Walters, 81, a former resident of Decatur, died Tuesday night at her home in Defiance, 0., following a heart attack.She was the former Rachel Samantha Venls of this city before •her marriage. x Survivors Include two sons, Don L. and Burt Walters of Defiance; two daughters, Mrs. William Moore of Wyandotte, Mich., and Mrs. Helen Bott of Defiance; 10 grandchildren and eight greatgrandchildren. There are a number of relatives in Decatur and vicinity. Funeral services will be held at 10 o'clock Friday morning at the Mansfield mortuary in Defiance, with the Rev. Bollinger officiating. The body will be brought to the Decatur cemetery for graveside services about 2 p.m. Friday.

Show, Dance To Aid Band Uniform Fund Hour-Long Program And Dance Dec. 17 An hour long musical variety show beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, will be presented by the Decatur high school band to raise money for new - uniforms. The band, under the direction of Clint Reed, will present musical selections ranging from Christmas carols to Mozadt. In addition to modern selections they will play three or four compositions written by members of the band. The program -will also include vocal numbers by Bob Sprague, Paul McAhren and a girls’ quartet called the Melodears. Novelty numbers are also planned. The concert will be followed with a dance until midnight. Music will be by two orchestras composed Os members of the high school band. One orchestra includes Ronnie Robinson, piano; Jerry Kaehr, sax; Harold Sommer, trombone; Bob Ochsenrider, drums; Jack Dally, trumpet, and Ralph Thomas trumpet. In the other orchestra will be Jerry Kaehr, sax; Janalee Smith, piano; Jane Stiverson, trombone; John Paul McAhren, guitar; Pete Dalzell, string baas, and Stanley Alger, trumpet. Tickets for the concert and dance are available from members of the band. All proceeds will be added to a fund for the purchase of new uniforms for the band. Hugh J. Andrews, Decatur high school principal, has announced that in addition to the ticket sales, the school will solicit contributions to complete the fund. He said that several people have already contributed to. the fund. Rev. Schmidt Delays Decision Over Call Extended Call By Kendallville Church The Rev. Edgar P. Schmidt, pastor of the Zion Lutheran churoh, stated today that he will make no decision before the first of the year on his acceptance or rejection of a call extended by the congregation of St. John’s Lutheran church, Kendallville, to the pastorate of that church. The pastorate of the Kendallville church will be vacant Jan. 2, when Dr. M. T. Kretzmann, pastor for the past 45 years, will retire from the ministry. Dr. Kretzmann, who has been secretary of the Lutheran church-Mlssouri synod, for the past 25 years, will continue in that position. The Kendallville church, organized in 1860, has 1.045 souls in the congregation, and 725 communicant members. Its Sunday school has an enrollment of 275. plus an adult Bible class of 107 members. The church employs a student assistant to the pastor. The church also conducts an eight-grade parochial school, with 95 students and three teachers. Rev. Schmidt, a native of Lafayette, came to the Decatur church seven years ago this week from San Diego, Calif., where he was associated with the armed services commission during World War 11. .

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U. S. Promptly Blasis Charge As Propaganda Clash Develops In Special Political Committee Os UN UNITED NATIONS, N. Y. (INS) —Russia accused American forces today of "seizing” Formosa for waj on Red China and the United States promptly blasted the charges as “false propaganda” aimed at stirring up new tension in the Far East. -~ : The clash between Russia and the United States developed in the UN special political committee as Soviet delegate A. A. Sobolev obviously attempted to counteract in advance the UN assembly’s "moral” condemnation of Red China expected in a special midnight session tonight. The 60-nation global forum probably will pass by as many as 50 of the possible 60 votes a resolution of the 16 Korean allies condemning Peiping’s jailing' of 11 U. S. airmen and of other UN personnel held In violation of the Korean armistice. The special political committee, dealing with a Soviet accusation charging the U. S. with “aggression” against Red China through AmSHcih mnnsry protection of the Formosa Strait, listened unmoved to the familiar Soviet claim that the U.S. Is trying to dominate Asia by force. Sobolev claimed the U. S. was participating in and encouraging Nationalist raids on the Chinese mainland. He said U.S. planes violated Red China’s air space more than 7000 times and that American naval vessels crossed into Chinese territorial waters more than 300 times. Sobolev climaxed his attack, on the U. S. by declaring that the American government “must bear responsibility for the murderous raids” on the China coast. U. S. delegate C. D. Jackson, aside from banding the Soviet charges as aimed at “stirring tip war hysteria” in Asia against the U. S.. assailed Communist China in particular for warlike acts in the Far East. Jackson made five charges of International misconduct against Red China, including what he called the “shameless violation” of the Korean armistice. He said that “no amount of cheap political warfare” can split the U. S. and its allies. Jackson defended conclusion of the mutual security treaty between the U. S. and Nationalist China, saying it will promote stability in the Far East and prevent the spread of war to Formosa. Two sessions—at 2:30 and S:80 p. m. (BBT)—were scheduled to expedite action on the resolution demanding that the Peiping regime free 11 U. 8. airmen imprisoned as spies and other UN personnel held in violation of the armistice. Soviet attempts to delay action by throwing the resolution into the slow committee machinery were soundly defeated. Acting with unusual speed, the assembly voted 48 to 5. with four abstentions Wednesday night for immediate consideration of the complaint, signed by the 16 nations who fought Red aggression in Korea. The Soviet bloc cast the negative votes. Burma. India. Indonesia and Yemen abstained. Soviet delegate Jacob Malik led the Communist blast against the western resolution, and, one- by one, the satellite nations echoed the Kremlln-Petping line. Good Fellows Fund Previously reported >249.12 XI Alpha lota Chapter Beta Sigma Phi 5.00 Mr., Mrs. B. F. Shroyer ... 10.00 SL Vincent De Paul ...... 10.00 Totals .....4274.11

Five Cents