Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 53, Number 94, Decatur, Adams County, 21 April 1955 — Page 1

Vol. LIII. No. 94.

Red Air Power Buildup May Be Toward Formosa Experts Doubt If Offshore Islands Will Be Struck WASHINGTON (INS) — America’s top strategists believe the buildup of Communist airpower in China is aimed at Formosa and not the offshore islands of Quemoy and Matsu. The belief Is cased on the fact that the Chinese Communists already have apparently moved more bombers and fighters onto new airfields of the invasion coast than they would need for an assault on the offshore Islands ulone. There is a tendency among officials, however, to doubt that the Chinese Reds will really go through with an'attack on Formosa in view of the tremendous striking power the U. S. has massed in the western Pacific to defend the island and possibly retaliate against China itself. The evaluation of latest intelligence reports is the reason that: 1. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles Issued a strongly worded warning about the threatening situation after talking with President Eisenhower in Augusta, Ga., 2. President Elsenhower ordered Sunday. Adm. Arthur W. Radford, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, and Assistant Secretary of State Walter S. Robertson to rush to Formosa to talk with Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek. These tacts were revealed to International News Service by high authority today in explanation of the objectives of the Rad-ford-Robertson mission which took off for Taipei late Wednesday. It was stated that the two top officials will talk with Chiang about a buildup of Nationalist Chinese airpower on Formosa to help offset the alarming increase in Communist £!f stMngih. More air, naval, and possibly even ground aid t’o Chiang is envisaged. , t Grand Jury Probes Murder Testimony Many Testify In Whitney Kerr Case __ EVANS VILDE, Ind. (INS) — Four more witnesses awaited their turn today before a Vanderburgh county grand jury being asked to indict mass executioner Leslie Irvin for first-degree murder. Twelve witnesses testified Wednesday including the 30-year : old confessed killer of Whitney .W. Kerr. 29, Evansville filling station attendant shot to death Dec. 23. Among the witnesses was Irvin who admitted the killing and told how he had a soft drink with tourists who dYove up to the station minutes after he had pumped a fatal slug into the nkeellng Kerr’s headAlso testifying Wednesday were ballistic experts identifying a weapon as the .38 caliber revolver : from which the fatal bullet was fired and relatives who identified a wallet found on Irvin as belonging to Kerr. Irvin said he killed Kerr and“the, other five to keep from being returned to prison for robbery. The pipefitter also has admitted the slaying of Mrs. Mary Holland, whose body was found kneeling in the restroom of her Evansville liquor store. Dec. 2. and Mrs. Wilhelmina Sailer, also shot through the head, on her farm home in Posey county, March 21. He further confessed the mass Oriental execution of three members of the Goebel Duncan family on a farm 15 miles southeast of Evansville near Henderson, Ky., March 28. Prosecutor Paul Wever is asking /or a first-degree murder indictnjent which carries a death penalty on conviction. Kentucky authorities also want Irvin as do Posey county, Indiana, authorities. Eisenhower Returns From 10-Days Os Golf WASHINGTON (INS) —-Presi-' dent Eisenhower, back in the White House after a ten-day golfing vacation at Augusta. Ga., meets with the National security Council today... The Formosa Crisis and the Afro-Asian Conference at Bandung were expected to be discussed. I — : — 12 Pages

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

- Lions Candidate

Ronald Parrish, Decatur trucking company executive is a candidate for reelection as §tate comptroller of Indiana Lions dubs a< the annual election to be held in connection with the state convention at French Lick this weekend. Parrish, former president of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, is being urged for a second term by all northeastern Indiana Lions dub.

County Council To Hold Special Meet .Extra Funds Will Be Chief Topic Several groups have expressed their intention of being represented at the special meeting of the Adams county council called for Friday and Saturday of this week to consider requests for more than 138,000 in emergency appropriations. While the appropriations do not reflect directly on the county tax rate, the money does come from the general fund, and the only way to replenish that fund is through taxation. In other words the money, if granted, would come from surplus money now in the general fund, it was pointed out by local tax students. Council members, who will pass on the requests include: Henry Dehner, Decatur, route five: Julius Schulte. Decatur, route four; Charley Jones, Berne, route two; Chris Stahly, Geneva; Leon Neuensch wander, Berne; William Kruetzman. Decatur, route one; and Frank Bohnke, Decatur. All are veterans of many regular and special council meetings with the exception of Bohnke, who was elected for the first time at the general election last November. Friday and Saturday meetings are scheduled to start each morning at 9 o’clock. The meetings wtll.be held Jp the commissioners room of the Auditor's office. K Voting Places For Primary Are Listed One Change Noted For May Voting Only one voting place has been changed since the general election last November in Decatur, it was announced today by Frank Kitson. county auditor, who legally specified all voting places in | the city for the May 3 primary election. The change is in Decatur lA. which technically is known as Adams county precinct number 29. The former voting place was McBride Welding shop on Grant street. The new voting place for voters of this precinct will be the city quonset building, a block west of the former place, just across the railroad on Grant street. Other voting locations in Decatur arO: Decatur, 18, Colter Brickete factory. Tenth street; Decatur IC, county jail; Decatur “ID, Arnold Lumber Co.;: Decatur 2A, Court House; Decatur 28, Firestation; Decatur 20. Worthman field dressing room; Decatur 3A, County garage; Decatur 38, Daman Case residence; ' Decatur 3C, Jess Sheets garage; Decatur Root, Homewood grocery. The locations were assigned by the county board of commissions, l Harley Reef, Lewis Worthman and John A. Kintz and legal publication was auihorized by Auditor Kitson. ... Ili-C '-**■ » ■ I > II * INDIANA WEATHER Fair north partly cloudy south with a few thundershowers extreme south tonight and Friday. Little change in temperature. Low tonight 46-52. High Friday 70-77.

Expect 600 At K. Os C. Jubilee Dinner Sunday Supreme Director To Address Group At Celebration John T. Rocap, an Indianapolis attorney and a supreme director of the national Knights of Columbus organization, will present the main address at the jubilee banquet of the Decatur Knights of Columbus council 864 Sunday at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of Decatur Catholic high school. Over 600 will attend the banquet • which will be the climax of the • local council's celebration of its ' fiftieth anniversary. The council i was instituted Feb. 26, 1905. Arthur E. Voglewede, a past ■ grand knight of the Decatur K. I of C., will serve as toastmaster , for the the banquet. He will intro--1 duce the four living charter mem- > bers who will be guests of honor at the dinner. They include Simeon J. Hain. Louis A. Holthouse, Edward Meyers and Leo Yager, Jr. ’ The Very Rev. Msgr. J. J. Seimetz. pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic church, will give the invocation. Assembly singing will be led by Lawrence B. Pursley. The string ensemble from St. Frances College of Fort Wayne will provide the dinner music. Carl A. Braun, current grand knight of the lodge, will extend the welcome to the members and guests attending the dinner. Fourth district deputy Gerald P. Seifert and Indiana state deputy Edward J. Dowd will attend and present remarks. Benediction will be given by the 'Rev. Robert Contant, chaplain of the local lodge. The jubilee program includes, in addition to the- banquet, a solemn High Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic church at 7:30 a.m. Sunday; the firat, second and third degree exemplification of a class of 58 initiates Sunday; an experience night for members only Monday at 8:3(7 p.m., and an open house and guest night Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. in the K. of C. hall. James M. Lose and Edward J. Heimann are chairmen of arrangements for the banquet. They are being assisted by members of the K. of C., members of the Rosary society and the Sisters of St. Agnes. Rosary society committees include dining room, Mrs. Richard Deinlinger, Mrs. Walter Gilliam and Mrs. Frances Terveer; food preparation, Mrs. Joe Laurent, Mrs. Ruth Keller and Mrs. Herman Meyers; serving, Miss Mary Ann Laurent; second floor supervision. Miss Helena Wehmeyer; supplies and equipment. Mrs. Andrew Miller. Mrs. Robert Boch, Mrs. Eugene Durkin and Mrs. Don Forst; I kitchen serving, Mrs. Oscar Miller, Mrs. Louis Wolpert, Mrs. Robert Steignieyer and Mrs. Don Gruss. Other members of the Rosary society will also serve on these various committees. The Sisters of St. Agnes are helping with the decoration of the banquet hall. Assisting with the serving will be students of the Decatur Catholic high school. Decafur Man Will Seek Slate Office Ronald Parrish Is Lions Candidate Headed by past district Lions club Governor and Mrs. Roy Price. Decatur Lions club president Frank Lybarger and Mrs. Lybarger and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hancher, the Decatur delegation will present the name of Ronald Parrish, Decatur and present state comptroller of Indiana Lions club as a candidate for reelection, at the convention to be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday at French Lick. Mr. and Mrs. Parrish also will attend the meeting from this city. The Decatur group will leave for French Lick today and will set up Parrish headquarters at the convention hotel there. Parrish has made quite a record in his state post, after having served the local Lions club in all offices and also the district organization. The Decatur man is manager of Bellmont Trucking Co., and is a native of Decatur. He has been active for many years in Lions club work and has attended numerous state conclaves. Parrish will go Into the convention with the solid support of all northeastern Indiana delegates and it is still doubtful if he will have opposition. . <

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday, April 21, 1955.

Decatur Children Get Salk Vaccine Shots To Aid Polio Fight 1 . . — - . ■ --| - '"t

Girl Scout Room Near Completion Numerous Gifts Being Received The 21 Decatur Girl Scout troops and their leaders are anxiously awaiting completion of the Girl Scout room in the youth wing of the new Decatur Youth and Community center. Among the first gifts received for the room a nine foot by five foot American flag presented for the room by Mrs. William Foughty. The flag had been a gift of honor at the time of her husband’s death. He was a Spanish war veteran. The Girl Scouts, with Mrs. Foughty’s approval have agreed to permit the use of the flag on suitable occasions in any other part of the building. Each of the local troops 'is contributing a chair for the room from money earned in the recent sale of cookies. Miss Frances Dugan is donating the work tables for the room. Storage cabinets will be constructed from money allocated by the Girl Scout council. . The cabinets will be used for equipment records and files. One necessary item which is still badly needed, according to those in charge of the room, is an apartment she homemaking tthit, consisting of a stove, sink and refrigerator. The various troops are contacting their friends with a suggestion that they contribute funds for this purpose, since it is the last major piece of equipment 1 necessary to completely furnish the room. Anyone interested in making a donation for this specific purpose is asked to contact Mrs. Roy Kalver. Miss Dugan or any of the various troop leaders. Most Os Indiana To Have Fast Time Change Effective Over Week-End INDIANAPOLIS (INS) — A pre liminary survey by the State Chamber of Commerce revealed today that Indiana’s time will be “normal” this summer for the first time since last summer. “Normal” in this instance means that all of the state except the southwestern area will be on Central Daylight Saving or Eastern Time, both the same, this summer. As usual. Evansville. Vincennes, Washington, Worthington. Lnogootee, Jasper, Huntingburg. Tell City. Rockport, Boonville, Petersburg, and Princeton proposed to abide by state law which forbids changing time. This bit of legislation has been on the books a number of years and has been Ignored consistently by the majority of the state In the absence of an enforceable penalty clause. So little regard was given the , law, in fact, that in the past five or six months most of the north western section of the state voted locally to switch to Eastern Standard Time year around. That area roughly is east of U. S. 31 from South Bend to Peru, over to Marion, down to Muncie, New Castle. Connersville. Brownsburg. Batesville and Versailles to the river. Even Indianapolis has voted in city council action to follow its usual practice of switching to Central Daylight wish most of the state April 24 and simply staying with Eastern Standard Time when its time to switch back next Sept. 25. The council's action was considered a hedging maneuver designed to toss the politically hot issue into the lap of the legislature. The lawmakers tossed it right out again, however, by sending the time issue to the people in a referendum. That puts the vote off until the November General Election, after the Indianapolis switch, anl leaves the' council as the tampering agent.l

Goodyear Manager

Richard Kershner, formerly of Marion, has taken charge of the Decatur Goodyear store, as general manager, it was announced. Kershner, who came here almut four weeks ago replaces Carl Baxter, who will operate his own Goodyear store at LaPorte.

Indiana Guard Gets Alert Test Praise Units Respond In Three Hours INDIANAPOLIS (INS) — Indiana's National Guard in the air, and on the land received high praise today for its performance during a surprise alert that was part of a national defense test of civilian military forces. The time required to get "Operation Minutemen” into almost full mobilization in Indiana was a little over three hours, and involved notification of guardsmen, a rush to their headquarters, then assignment to a post that might be a military target in an invasion. A token force of two airplanes went into the skies over Fort Wayne Baer Field in short order, and Brig. General Allison Maxwell, of Indianapolis, commander of 122 d Fighter Bomber Wing, said his wing could have had 17 inter-ceptor-type jet planes aloft an hour after a switch was pulled in Washington, D. C. to set off the maneuver. Gen. Maxwell expressed satisfaction with the response from the l;200 officers and airmen in the 122 d wing. Maj. Gen. Carl O. Deßard, of Grandview, commanding officer of. the 38th Infantry Division declar- ■ ed the test was proof that Indi--j---ana’s alert system "is adequate for any emergency.” Notification of the mock alert was-made on a' previously planned schedule. The system was so well-timed! that nearly every member of the 38th, Division and the 122 d Wing had been alerted within 20 minutes after the signal was given. Total numerical response was 90.2 percent, or 8,300 men. who dropped whatever they had been doing, got into uniform and reported for duty. For the 38th Division, the portion of total strength reporting three hours and 15 minutes after the alert began was 90.5 percent. For the 122 d Wing, the count was 88.5 precent in readiness. The Indiana Statehouse was one of the targets of attention in the mock alert. Guardsmen carried out a maneuver, based on the assumption that a sabotage attempt had been reported and 100 of them were rushed to the state capitol In jeeps. > a—. , Goshen Man Killed In Fall From Truck GOSHEN, Ind. (INS) —Donald Bontrager,, 23, of Goshen, was killed late Wednesday when he was thrown from a pickup truck driven by Robert U Kropf, 20 of Goshen, after he rammed the rear of another truck. Kropf’s pickup- struck the rear of a semi-truck operated by Frank P. Stefano, 30, of Chicago, On U.S. 6 hear Kingsbury. The two drivers were not injured.

Hoover Frowns On Expulsion Os Red Countries Urges Assembly To Worry On With Soviet Russia WASHINGTON (INS) — ExPresident Herbert Hoover told congress today that the free world must “go on and worry with Russia in the United Nations” rather than attempt to expel the Soviets from the UN. The 80-year-old former chief executive testified that there must lie a “great change in the whole Communist attitude" before the charter can be amended to strengthen the world organization. Hoover was complimented by Republicans and Democrats alike on the Senate Foreign Relations committee as he testified on possible UN charter revisions. He received a standing ovation from spectators when he entered the hearing room. The ex-president was on the witness stand barely half an hour. )le testified from a prepared statement sitting beside his long-time personal secretary. Miss Bernice Miller. Hoover agreed with Sen. 11. Alexander Smith (R-N. J.) that it would be better under present conditions to have 'Russia in the UN. But he said at one time he had suggested that Russia be "asked to .retire" so that 14 countries now blocked from membership by So-, viet veto might come in and give the free world a "more united front.” Then he added;“l don’t "Alnk that in present conditions that would work. My conclusion is that we’ve got to go.on and worry with Russia in the UN and hope that things will get better." Hoover also said the "differences of interest'*-'-which developed during “the Korean war “have weakened the prospect” of the UN taking similar action against an aggressor “at least in the immediate future." ■ i ■ The ex-president opened his testimony by declaring that “I have no notion that we can abandon any organization” that strives Tor ■ peace. I ; j J He emphasized that the world j "should retain” the United Na- ' tions organization even though it rhas “not fulfilled expectations.” But he said that "I have no great belief that under present circumstances there can be any effective amendments" in the UN • charter because the veto would i give Russia the. chance to block them. Gas Company Sends Annual Tax Check Local Payment Is More Than $7,400 A spring tax installment of |2,003,298.98 in real estate and personal property taxes was paid this week by Northern Indiana Public Service Company, Dean H. Mitchell. president of the Company, announced today. "This year's tax payment represents an increase of $145,886.51 over last year’s spring tax installment of $1,857,412.37," Mitchell said. Michael J. Pryor, Decatur district manager, said that local taxes paid by the utility in Adams County amounted to $7,490.59, of which $5,998.97 went to the city of Decatur. Checks were sent by the Company to local managers well ahead of the tax payment deadline to make sure county treasurers received them in plenty of time. NIPSCO is one of the largest taxpayers in the state of Indiana.

D. A. V. Flower Sale Is Announced Here Forget-Me-Nots To Be Sold Saturday Victor Steiner, chairman of the annual forget-me-not sale sponsored by Chapter 91, Disabled American Veterans in Adams county, announced today that plans are complete for the 1955 sale of the little flowers starting Friday morning. Members of the local D. A, V. and the auxiliary will canvass all industries starting Friday morning. Street sale in Decatur will be conducted all day Saturday. Girl Scouts will assist the D.A.V. in the street sales, it was announced. Melvin Tinkham is chairman of the drive in Decatur; James Halberstadt, Jr., is Pleasant Mills leader; Gordon Brodbeck has charge in Monroe; Victor Steiner, general chairman also has charge of Berne and Rufus Somer is in charge at Geneva. The flowers are made by disabled veterans and all proceeds from the sale go to disabled veterans and their families. Steiner has asked the cooperation of the public in this annual campaign. Bungling Is Charged In Firing Os Corsi Ex-Official Is Again On Stand WASHINGTON (INS) — Sen. John L. McClellan (D-Ark.) accused the State Department? today of “bungling” in the controversy surrounding ousted immigration expert Edward J. Corsi. The lawmaker told newsmen that testimony Wednesday indicated that Corsi’s battle with Security Chief Scott McLeod over refugee program policies stemmed from a lack of "thoroughly defined lines of authprity.” . ' * Corsi and McLeod both are scheduled to appear today in the fourth round of hearings on the dispute which led to Secretary of State John Foster Dulles’ firing of Corsi as a special assistant April 10. Commenting on Wednesday’s testimony, McClellan said: “It indicated there was a bungling job of administration.” The senator, a member of the judiciary subcommittee on refugees which is conducting the hearings, said he was not directing his criticism “toward any individual involved, as of now.” He also declared that the testimony disclosed that Corsi “obviously” was in disagreement with “the majority of congress" who | have voted for tight limitations on immigration. McClellan said the Corsi-McLeod dispute reflects “a clash between the law, as well as the majority of Congress who wanted it, and those who want to open the floodgates of immigration and let in many more people." Testifying Wednesday, Corsi fired a new blast at the State Department for its handling of the Refugee Relief Program and for its “shabby treatment’ ’in calling him in as a “consultant” to Dulles and then firing him 90 days later because he refused to be a “a stooge" for McLeod. Mrs. Lona Reynolds Funeral To Be Friday Funeral services for Mrs, Lona 'Reynolds, Bluffton, mother of Pete Reynolds, city editor of the Daily Democrat, who died Tuesday morning, will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the First Baptist church in Bluffton. Dr. Carlton Atwater will officiate and burial will be in Fairview cemetery. Friends may call at the Thoma home Thursday afternoon and evening and Friday until noon. The casket will not be open at the church.

Five Cents

Volunteers Will Complete Work Friday Morning St. Joseph Pupils Receive Vaccine Here This Morning The first polio shots in Decatur were administered between 9 and 10 a.m. today to children in the first and second grades at St. Joseph's school. The clinic here and at three other Adams county schools this morning continued the county project, sponsored by the local chapter of the National polio foundation, to give the Salk vaccine free of charge to all pupils in the first and second grades. The other clinics today were nt Jefferson township, Hartford township and Adams Central grade schools. Doctors, nurses and volunteer workers again donated their time to make the free shots available. Decatur physfcians who staffed the vaccination clinic at St. Joseph’s school included Dr. John Carroll, Dr. Gerald Kohne, Dr. Arthur Girod, Dr. Norval Rich. Dr. John Terveer and Dr. Harold Zwick who is county medical chairman of the project. Nurses who assisted these doctors were Mrs. Mary Jane Miller, Mrs. Hillis CoTchin and Mrs. Delores Ellenberger. The children who received the shots were supervised by Mrs. Robert Hess, Mrs. Wesley Titus, Mrs. Cornelius Geimer, Mrs. Robert Eiting, Mrs. Ralph Reed and Mrs. Glenn Hill. Mrs. Hill is chairman of the volunteer workers. At the Adams Central clinic, children received their shots from Dr. Norman Beaver, Dr. Robert Boze, Dr. Harold Lehman and Dr Howard Luginbill. Miss Marie Felber, superintendent of nurses at the Adams county memorial hospital, assisted. Volunteer workers were high school students undee the direction of Hugh Tate, superintendent. Dr. J. V. Schetgen was in charge of the clinic at Jefferson high school where volunteer workers were under the direction of Max Stanley, principal. The Hartford clinic was under Dr.«C. P. Hinchman with volunteer workers organized by Burney S. Jackson, principal. Mrs. Glenn Ehrsam of Monroe transported supplies from the southern part of the county to the hospital. According to a statement by Mrs. Hill, volunteer chairman, the work (Contijmed on Page Five) _ Production Halted At Local G. E. Plant Day Shift Sent Home Before Noon Production at the Decatur plant of the General Electric Co. stopped about 10 o’clock this morning and factory employes were sent home before noon, it was learned from an authoritative source. The suspension of production was said to have followed a .sit down of several workers in the flange and die cast department. An official of the local plant said “that the company regretted the fact that the entire shop had to close because of the stoppage of the flow- of vital parts. The same spokesman said that officials hoped that normal production could be resumed on the second shift today. An effort to contact officials of . U. E. local 924 for a statement was unsuccessful late today. It was not learned if the sit-down was ‘sanctioned. No definite statement was forthcoming as to when work would be resumed, but company officials were hopeful that full time resumption would be effective today.