Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 53, Number 82, Decatur, Adams County, 7 April 1955 — Page 1

Vol. Lili. No. 82.

WELL-TRAINED ROBBERS STAGE RUSH HOUR RAID , , hM I I &■ * ' ' Bom|| ulJ[_JbL_...^_' '. 'i:L : „. JbL^2??®f J & ‘ CROWDS MILL around the Woodside branch of the Chase-Manhattan Bank, thirty minutes from midtown Manhattan, where a smooth-working quartet of bank robbers got away with more than 1300,000 while streams of work-bound New Yorkers paraded by. The bank’s manager was kidnaped as he left Lis home, taken to the bank as it opened and with ten employes, herded into a rear vault while the gang made its escape. ’

Woman Teller Questioned In Bank Robbery Biggest Cash Bank Holdup In History Nets Over $305,000 NEW YORK (INS) —A curvaceous teller and her husband were questioned until early today about a slick $305,243 holdup of a New York bank. Thil-e plain-talking thugs with revolvers and a sub-tirtachinegun swept the loot from the Chase Manhattan’s Woodside, Queens. I' .n the biggest cash bank holdup in U. S. history. Invettigatiuh officers noted the perfect timing-a big payroll was being ma'de up - neat execution and obviously planned action of the bandits as evidence of an “inside job” Police released early all employes except one-brunette Mildred Cocchiarv, 24, a teller. Questioned with her was her husband. 25, «’ longshoreman who police said, had been picked up on suspicion only, last January near a Brooklyn Bank but was cleared. Inspector Walter Henning, however, said Cocchiaro “does not even come close to the descriptiont of any of the bandits." The holdup men started their 'well-plansied, history-making job in the same manner employed by the man who executed the stickup which netted the previous record cash haul — $191,280 from the Floral Park, N. Y. bank in 1953. The converged on chief clerk Henry Bardenhagen in front of his home as he stepped to his car to go to work. One of them stuck a gun in his back and warned: “Okay, Henry, in the back.” One thug drove, one sat beside him and a third told Bardenhagen; to keep looking "but the window, of the back seat. Calmly every traffic rule, they drove to the bank and parked alongside the small building. • One of the thugs who had taken' goated. “We’ve been casing the main entrance door and walked inside. The bandits quickly herded seven employes already at work and their four captives from outside into the vaultThe man with the sub-machine-gun, looking over cash piled on tables for distribution to tellers, Bardenhagen’s key opened the joint for six months and it sure; paid off." Then they swept all the cashincluding a $170,000 payroll being t made up for the Bulova Watch company-into a sack and suit-| cases and fled in a two-tone Cadillac driven by a lookout. Court House Offices To Be Closed Friday Offices in the county court hduss will be closed all day Friday it Good Friday. It was also announced that Decatur stores will be closed from noon to 3 P- m. and the public library will not open until 3 p. m. Friday. The bank will be closed at noon. The office of the Decatur Daily Democrat tfrill also be closed during the three hours. The regular Saturday deadlines will be in effect Friday and the paper will be run off the presses as usual at 3 p- m. 12 Pages

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Easier Lily Sale In City Saturday Crippled Children's Society To Benefit Announcement was made today of plans for an Easter Lily sale Saturday on the downtown streets of Decatur. Proceeds from the sale of the paper flowers will go to the crippled children s society. The funds collected annually by members of the Decatur Girl Scouts. It will begin at 10 a.m. and will continue to early evening. The 'Rev. William Feller, chairman of the fund drive this year, has urged that those who have not returned contributions for the Easter seals which were sent to them, do so as soon as possible since the end of the drive is near. The funds collectde annually by the society are used to help crippled Children in the county. Last year. Tor example, it paid for a hearing aid and evaluation costing $125. Other cases where financial aid was given include an examination refraction, sls; examination and X-ray for curvature of the spine. S3O; a hoist and wheel-chair, $287; hospitalization for a boy with a crippled hand, $107; artificial arm, $l2O, and hospitalization and eye surgery, $275. Similar aid will be given to crippled children through the funds collected this year. Plans are also being made for a speech therapy school this summer in Adams county. Lloyd Roth Heads Local Moose Lodge Will Install New Officers April 26 Lloyd Roth, well known Decatur man, has been elected governor of Decatur lodge. Loyal Order of Moose, number 1311, for the year, it was announced today. Roth will assume control of the lodge’s affairs later this month. Other new officers include: Darrell Kreischer, junior governor; Oral Fulton, prelate; Leroy Hoagland, treasurer. Two trustees also were named by the members. Frank Ross was elected to a three-year term and Frank Hebble was named for a one-year term to fill a vacancy on the board. Installation of all officers is scheduled for Tuesday night, April 26, in conjunction with a regular meeting. The focal lodge will act as host to a district meeting of Moose lodges Friday night. April 15, it was announced. A banquet and district meeting of the Legion of the Moose also is scheduled for Decatur on Saturday afternoon and night. May 7. Details of both district meetings to be held here will be announced later, the committees in charge stated today. Workman Overcome By Gas Wednesday Don Corey, an employe in the maintenance and repair department of Central Soya Co., Inc., was overcome by exhaust gas at the solvent plant Wednesday evening. The gas came from a burner used to purge an extractor in the solvent plant. It leaked into the meal toaster where Corey was making repairs. Corey was taken to the Adams county memorial hospital for observation and was dismissed today.

Senate Probe Os Stassen Is Being Widened Sen. Bender Claims Stassen Is Treated Unfairly In Probe WASHINGTON (INS) —A senate investigation of the foreign operations administration widened today despite one Republican’s charge that it, is directed against JPOA chief Harold E. Stassen. Members of the senate investigations subcommittee scoffed at the accusation by their colleague, Sen. George H. Bender (R. O„) that they are treating Stassen unfairly in a quest for headlines. Meanwhile, it was learned that the subcommittee staff has launched a preliminary in-vestigayon of complaints surrounding the FOA’s award of a contract to provide Spain with 14 diesel locomotives. Published reports last month said that the contract for nearly three million dollars went to the American Locomotive Co-, although the ton Corp., made a bid almost $250,000 lower. Subcommittee chairman John L. McClellan (D Ark..) told a reporter the matter has been referred to his staff but it _is too early to say whether it will be made part of the current FOA inquiry. Hearings are scheduled to resume next Wednesday. McClellan said he will meet with Stassen again Monday, at which time the FOA chief has agreed to produce documents the subcommittee still is seeking. The senator said Stassen told him he had "reviewed” most of the documents and found that “a vast majority" will be made available. McClellan said Stassen agreed to let him personally examine those which cannot be turned over for security reasons. The pending investigation, about which Bender is aroused. Involves Stassen’s selection of a Yos Angeles firm to build grain elevators in Pakistan although it was the highest of five bidders. Bender’s office issued a statement in which he said: “I lament the manner in which the committee has pursued this subject in view of Mr. Stassen’s own decision to renegotiate this ontract the moment it was questioned, despite the fact that there appears to be no basis for the allegations made gaainst ihm.” McClellan said Bender, who was en route to the capital from Cleve land, didn’t “have his facts straight." The Arkansas pointed out that it wasn’t until Wednesday, at a public hearing, that Stassen said he would reopen bidding. The McClellan group began investigating the Pakistan contract negotiations after Sen. Stuart Symington (D M 0.,) a subcommittee member, complained in January that two Kansas City, Mo., firms were rejected by the FOA although they "were the lowest of the five bidders. Bender stood alone among the subcommittee’s three Republicans in opposing the investigation'. Youth Is Crushed To Death By Bulldozer GARY, Ind. (INS) — A. 19-year-old construction worker on the Black Oak expressway was killed Wednesday when he was crushed to death beneath a bulldoser. The victim was Joe R. Malone, of Black Oak.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday, April 7, 1955.

Urges Eisenhower Halt Cut In Military Power In View Os Situation

Anthony Eden Summons First Cabinet Meet f .* ■ **' Prime Minister Os Britain Is Holding Initial Meeting LONDON (INS) — Great Britain’s new prime minister Sir Anthony Eden summoned his first cabinet meeting for today at No. 10 Downing St. He scheduled the session for this morning in the historic cabinet room in the premier’s official residence which the retiring Sir Winston Churchill had left less than 24 hours before. The call from Sir Anthony for the ministers to assemble caused immediate speculation that a reshuffling of the top government posts would be announced shortly. Eden had been scheduled to be sworn in as first lord of the treasury this morning at a privy council meeting in Buckingham Palace. When he did not show' up for the meeting, a spokesman at the premier’s office said a special privy council session would be held at which Eden would take the oath and any new. ministers would, kiss the hand of the Queep as a sign of their loyalty. The treasury post, always held hy the premier, is largely honorary. but it does entitle the holder to a $28,000 annual salary. The office of prime minister carries no salary. Among the new ministers to be announced will be a replacement for Sir Anthony in the foreign office. Eden does not wish to hold the foreign secretary’s job along with the premiership. Defense minister Harold MacMillan was said to be Eden's choice for the post which he himself filled for 12 of the last 20 years. Among the best bets to succeed MacMillan are minister of supply Selwyn Lloyd, secretary of state for war Anthony Head and minister of works Nigel Birch. The new premier was believed to favor the oft-rumored date of May 26 for the elections, which will be the first since October, 1951, when the now-retired Sir Winston Churchill led the Conservatives back into office. There was, however, a solid group of Conservatives urging the elections be held off until October" They believed the delay would give Sir Anthony a better chance to consolidate himself in the country. The later date also would enable the new prime minister to go to the country with a new and younger cabinet. If the May 26 date is selected, there will be pressure on Eden not to reconstruct the cabinet completely until after the elections. This would allow the Conservatives to present a familiar lineup to the country. (ConttauM on rage Five)

Lenten Meditation (By Rev. Stuart Brightwell, First Baptist Church) “THE CUP” St. Luke 22:11-23 "This Cup is the New Testament in My Blood” These verses contain St. Luke’s account of the institution of the Lord's supper. It is a passage which every Christian will read with deep Interest. The principal object of the Lord’s supper is to remind us of Christ’s death for sinners. The bread that the believer eats, at the Lord’s table, is to remind us of Christ’s body offered upon the cross for his siQs. The wine that he drinks is intended to remind him of Christ’s blood shed to make atonement tor his transgression. This observance is to be a time of Gratitude, when we are remembering the gracious benefits secured for us by the atoning death of our Lord. It is to be a time of Consecration, when we turn from the table of Christ and go forth in His name to serve Him, and to serve our fellow men. It must be a time of Humility, when we feel our weakness and know of our dependence upon the Lord and His grace. , The Lord’s Supper points us backward to the redemption He gained upon the cross, and forward to the fuller redemption II? will accomplish on His return.

88 Indiana Counties In Vaccine Program Await Announcement Os Tests April 12 INDIANAPOLIS (INS) — At least 88 Indiana counties and possibly more will join in a national immunization program against polio. A recheek of counties not organized tor participation in the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis’ free Salk vaccine prograin at the time International News Service made its first survey a week ago, showed these results today. Medical societies of Decatur and Pike counties have indicated they will join with the 86 counties which previously had set up machinery for carrying out the vaccination of all first and second grade pupils this spring, providing an April 12 evaluation report is satisfactory. That report on the results of a 44-state test made in the spring of 1954 is to be given by Dr. Thomas Francis, Jr., at the University of Michigan. If the test shows the vaccine provides sufficient protection against polio, it is expected to be licensed by the federal government almost immediately. Clay county remained status quo in the recheck. and does not at the moment wish to Join the NFIP program as outlined in national and state plans. If available, it would accept free vaccine for indigenls. Jackson county will announce its decision after its physicians, hear the results of the April 12 report to doctors via closed circuit telecast from Ann Arbor, Mich. Madison and Shelby counties are willing to take part on a limitedbasis, only, if that will be permitted. Ah important point which favors the smaller counties in deciding about accepting the NFIP offer was stressed by Dr. Harold E. Miller, of Seymour, president of the Jackson county medical society. He explained that his county, unlike heavily populated ones, such as Marion, is smhll enough that advance preparation is not such a big headache. “We could dp everything we have to do in a couple days. This is the greatest medical experiment of all times and we want to wait until we hear he results.” ■ . Dr. Miller said a number of Jackson county doctors will come to Indianapolis Tuesday to view the TV report from Dr. Francis, and Dr. Jonas Salk, the vaccine developer, and others. The Jackson county medical head indicated that if the report is favorable, and the vaccine licensed, the vote of his organization will be for participation in the NFIP program. ‘ But for counties such as Marion, where 28,000 first and second grade school children may get the free shots, advance organizational work was too great to permit delayed decision. J Here, as in many other counties (Continued on Page Six)

Church Rises To Mark Good Friday Here Suspend Business For Three Hours . Friday Afternoon Residents of Decatur and community will throng to church services Friday as the city pauses in reverence to commemorate the Three Hours Jesus Christ spent on the Cross at Calvary. Practically all business will be suspended in the city from 12 noon until 3 p.m., as services are held by the city’s churches. The annual Protestant union Good Friday services will be held at the Zion. Evangelical and Reformed church. The service will be divided into three one-hour periods. The Rev. R. Eugene Sterner, Anderson, will speak during the first and third periods, and the Music department of the Decatur Woman’s club will sing Dubois’ “The Seven Last Words of Christ,” during the second period opening at 1:05 p.m. The Service is sponsored by the Decatur ministerial association. and ministers of the participating churches will assist in the service. The midday pamrton service will Ckitxkii 1 t Hia 1 iilhuvun ctt. tirt* gutvit i jlivlld clT* tiitllvxl at 12:30 p.m.. and extend until approximately 2 o’clock. During the service, the altar is stripped of its paraments and the altar cross is draped in black. The Rev. Edgar P. Schmidt, pastor, will read thef history of the passion and death of Jesus Christ, and children of the church will sing during the solemn service. — d The Good Friday vesper service will be held at the Lutheran church at 7:30 p.m., with the sermon by the pastor and special music by the church choir. The church will also be open all day Saturday for meditation and prayer. ■* The Three Hours will be observed at St. Mary’s Catholic church from 12 noon until 3 p.m. with Way of the Cross at 12:45 and 1:45 p.m. Blessing with the relic of the True Cross will take place at 2:30 p.m. and at the evening service at 7:30 n.ni. AH churches of the city will hold special services on Easter Sunday, and are also bolding special services tonight and Friday evening. Community Fund To Name New Directors Election Set For Night Os April 28 The Decatur Community Fund nominating committee has'’announced directorate nominations for three-year terms in three divisions. They include James Newton. manager of Baber Jewelry store, business; Tillman Gehrig, well known Legionnaire and General Electric employe, labor, and Miss Dorothy Schnepf. also of the General Electric, women's organizations. President T. C. Smith has set the, election for Thursday night. ApHl 28, at 8 o'clock at the Den. Letters announcing the nominations and the election date have been mailed to all qualified voters in the Fund organization. Each year the Community Fund, Inc. spearheads a drive for funds throughout Decatur and this area and the money collected is then divided among the several member organizations for the operation of their activities for the year. The single drive system has been operating in Decatur tor several years and. the purpose is to make only one drive for funds for all participating groups for the year.

Seven Lives Taken By Violent Weather Millions Os Dollars . In Damages Caused CHICAGO <INS) — Violent weather — blizzards in Wyoming and Montana and tornadoes in Texas—have taken seven lives, injured 27 other persons and censed millions of dollars Worth of damage. Six of the deaths occurred in the Jiwo western states, where largo herds of cattle and sheep now are reported facing death as a result of the near record weekend blizzard that dumped up to 44 inches of snow- in the area. One death and 27 injuries were reported Wednesday in a series Os tornadoes that swept Northcentral Texas. Wyoming Gov. Milward Simpson called a state of emergency to cope with the stock situation. He dispatched six bulldozers into Nfohara county to clear away for marooned stock that has been without food for as long as four days. William Chapman. Wyoming agricultural commissioner, estimated that 20,000 head of sheep and 8,1000 catle already have perished in the storm. The livestock loss alone may be more than a million dollars. Damage to communications and other .facilities in the two states was heavy. - Thirteen persons reported lost in the storm have been rescued. The last five were picked up near the northern Wyoming border when a national guard airplane spotted the letters "O. K.” they had outlined in the snow. They are Mr. and Mrs. Basil Pierce and Mr. and Mrs. Sam Horton and their infant daughter, all of Sheridan, Wyo. Eight missing uranium prospectors were found earlier by search planes in the Pumpkin Buttes area (Continued on Fag* Five) '• ' • "I". ' Ehinger Heads New Telephone Exchanges President, Manager For Two Companies Charles D. Ehinger, president of Citizens Telephone Co., is now president and general manager of Nappanee Telephone Co. and Argos Telephone Co., both of which are owned by Citizens of Decatur. All legal details have been worked otit, Ehinger said today, and new boards of control have been set up for Citizens’ two new exchanges. LaMar Stoops, Nappanee, former manager of the Nappanee exchange, has been named vicepresident tit the two additions to the local COffipariy? Arthur E. Voglewede has been named secretarytreasurer of bbth companies. Leo H. Yager, S. E. Hite of Decatur and William H. Bell, Lake Tippecanoe, will comprise the three-man board of directors of each company. Plans will be started immediately. Ehinger said, to convert both new exchanges to dial systems similar to Citizens. Much of the detailed work of operating the exchanges will be done in Decatur, but regular staffs will be maintained at both Argos pnd Nappanee. Purchasing and bookkeeping will be done in Decatuf. —— K South Bend Woman Killed In Wreck SOUTH BEND, Ind. (INS) — Mrs. Jeap Nowicki, 40, of South Bend, was killed Wednesday night when the car in which she was riding missed a curve near South Bend. Critically injured in the crash was the driver, Jan Cortkowski, 49, also of South Bend. INDIANA WEATHER Fair south, clearing north and cool tonight. Friday fair, warmer in afternoon. Low tonight 30-38, high Friday 55-60 north, 60-66 south.

Five Cents

Congress May Force Fund To Restore Cuts General Ridgway Expresses Concern Over Reductions WASHINGTON (INS) — Sen. John Stennis (D Miss.), urged the Eisenhower administration today to halt cuts in military manpower at once in view of "mounting tension" over possible Had aggression. Chairman Dennis Chavez (D N. M.). of the senate military ap» propriations subcommittee said congress may force money on the. administration to restore the manpower cuts. The two .Democrats expressed their positions after hearing Gen. Matthew B. Ridgway testify late Wednesday that he is concerned over reductions in the army’s mobile striking power in face of a worsened world situation. The army chief of staff revealed he recommended that the nation's ground forces be kept at the 1.3 million-man strength of Jan. 1. Instead, the army was cut to one million. 270 thousand men by April 1, and is due to be trimmed to just over one million men by June 30. 1956. * Ridgway said the world: situation has "distinctly deteriorated’’ since he made his recommendation. The general replied, ’’That is right sir,” when asked by Stennis if the cut in mobile striking force was of “vital concern to you.” Asked if he needs more striking power to meet the Communist threat. Ridgway replied: “Well, the basic reasoning behind my original decision has not altered.’* . Hearings on the military’s new 34 billion dollar defense program were recessed until April 19. Stennis said: “I think in view of the mounting tension these cuts should be postponed. I believe the whole program should be reconsidered.” He declared he thought the administration should halt, as of today, the reductions, which apply to the navy and marines as well as the army. Chavez added that he believes Ridgway “is right." The senate’s military funds chairman said: “His statement will get serious consideration and might have some effect in restoring some of the money.” He predicted a fight to do this will be made in committee. But Sen. Edward Thye (R Minn.), a committeema" deeded the cuts. He said President Elsenhower is a “great military leader” and his views should be followed. Harry L Yahne Dies At Fort Wayne Home Harry L. Yahne, 50, a native of Decatur and member of the Zion Evangelical and Reformed church, died Wednesday at his home, 812 Lavina street. Fort Wayne. Surviving are his mother. Mrs. C. P. Foreman, Fort Wayne: the stepfather, C. P. Foreman, Fort Wayne, and a nephew, Bill Yahne, with the armed forites In EnglandThe body was removed to the Klaehn funeral home. Political Leader Pleads Not Guilty INDIANAPOLIS (INS) —A Fort Wayne political leader has pleaded not guilty hi Indianapolis federal court to charges of income tax evasion. Frank A. Wyss, 60, former Fort Wayne councilman, was indicted on two counts of tax evasion totaling 14,915.12 for 1947 and 1948. He was arrested March 3. Wyss served as fund raising chairman for the “Schricker Good Government Club" of Fort Wayne in 1948.