Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 53, Number 121, Decatur, Adams County, 23 May 1955 — Page 1

Vol. LIU. No. 121.

SPANS U. S. TWICE . Jr a %• £x JU ' T * *Jp- W - VJ 1 HT SrJfj Wjlj ’ wF ‘A $rV ■l-i- . v a ' Z * FRESH FROM THE COCKPIT ot his F-86 Sabre jet “The Calif. Boomerang,” Ist U. John M. Conroy (left) is greeted by his family (J. to r.) Barbara. 4. (background) Mrs. Jeanne Conroy holding William, 1, and John Timothy. 3. at the Van Nuys airport after flying 5,085 miles in 11 hours, 26 minutes. Lt. Conroy, a National Guard pilot, realised the air-age dream of breakfast in Los Angeles, lunch in New York and home in time for dinner.

Assure Greece Balkan Pad Is Not Endangered Visit Os Russian Heads To Tito Not Threat To Treaty By SEYMOUR BERKSON (ft N. S. General Manager) (Copyright, 1965, by I. N- S.) ATHENS JLNSJ — Yugoslavia has reassured Greece that Belgrade's Balkan pact commitments will not be weakened by the forthcoming visit of top Soviet leaders to Marshal Tito.' The pact — signed by Greece. Yugoslavia and Turkey-is aimed at discourggtok red aggression in the Balkans. Greece believes Yugoslavia will remain faithful to the tripartite pact despite the ominous visit of Soviet premier Nikolai - Bulganin and Communist party boss Nikota Khrushchev to Tito late this month. This viewpoint was expressed to me in an exclusive interview with Greece’s prime minister, Field Marshal Alexander L. Papagos. The interview took place shortly after the Yugoslav ambassador to Greece, Misha Paricevic, called on Greek foreign minister Stefanos Stefanopoulos to reassure him about Belgrade's commitments. Paricevic said Yugoslavia stands firm in her alliance with Greece and Turkey. In reply to a question asking how the Balkan pact would work practically in the event of Soviet gagression against one of the three member nations, Papagos said: “All three nations are determined to defend themselves against aggression. Reality alone will shew how it works out. . .under the Balkan pact, any two of the three pact nations are under the obligation to render Immtedfate help and support to the third if and when the latter Is attacked." And in the case of other western Greece has been con-, cerned about possible results from the coming talks of Tito with Bui-, ganin and Khrushchev. Greek officials, however, consider it inconceivable that Tito could be lured back into any position of subservience to Moscow. • They feel he is enjoying the roll of “independent” between the east and west blocs because this has increased his presttge and bargaining power. Other (han the Tito-Soviet meeting, the main concerns in Greece today are the still unsolved Cyprus question and Greece’s urgent need for additional economic aid from the U. S. A. Regarding the Cyprus question which has brought Greek-British relations to a low ebb.. 1 asked Papagos if any compromise solution is on the horiion. He replied: “Unfortunately, ho-owing to the British government’s refusal to make any reasonbale gesture of compromise acceptable to the grept majority of the Cyprus populations. “We maintain our hope in the United Nations, and we also hope Britain will be persuaded to change her attitude." ■ (uentmuea on Tag® Six)

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT ONLY DAILY NEWBPAFKR IN ADAMS COUNTY

Plan Noon Luncheon On Dedication Week Lisle Hodell To Be Principal Speaker Lisle D. Hodell of Ft. Wayne, general manager ot the general purposes motor department of the General Electric company, will be the speaker at the Decatur appreciation program, sponsored by the Decatur Chamber of Commerce at noon Tuesday, June 21, as a part of the dedication ceremonies of the new Youth and Community building. Tickets at 11.25 each are being placed on sale immediately for the program, which is expected to attract a large number of visitors from other cities to the new building. Hodell has been associated with the General Electric company for 39 years and under his present management are plants at Decatur and Linton in Indiana. His offices are at the Taylor Street General Electric company plant in Fort Wayne. His community activities Inelude the teaching of a large Bible class in Fort Wayne for the last 36 years. He is president of the Fort Wayne-Hofne and Rescue mission and ti/e Fort Wayne Y. M. C. A. [ The subject of his talk will be “What Can We Give?” and will deal with community activities, a matter in which he is considered an expert. A buffet style luncheon will be served immediately preceding the program. Report Donations To Community Center More Contributions For Youth Center Several cash and furnishings contributions to the Decatur Youth and Community Center were announced today by O. M. McGeath, director of the Center. Mr. and Mrs. D. Burdette Custer have given a motion picture projector and screen and Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Butler have donated a large motion picture screen, for uSe in the main auditorium. Substantial cash donations by Mr. and Mrs. Butler and Col. and Mrs. J. F. Sanmann also were announced. Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Klepper have donated three flags: ■ an American flag, a state flag and a Christian flag. These are to be used inside the building. The Rev. and Mrs. (Ray J. Walther and family have contributed a complete drafting set for use in the Ijoys club department. More than 300 Decatur people have filled out questionnaires and returned them, McGeath reported. It U( hoped that several hundred more will be received this week so plans can be completed for the first general program at the Center. INDIANA WEATHER Partly cloudy, showers and thunderstorms tonight and /Tuesday, turning cooler Tuesday. Low tonight 60-65. High Tuesday 65-76 northwest, 7585 southwest

Polio Experts Gathered In Crucial Meet Dr. Salk Absent From Meeting In Washington Today WASHINGTON (INS) — Top polio experts gathered today for a crucial meeting that may decide the future of the stalled mass inoculation program. Dr. Jonas Salk, developer of the polio vaccine, was absent. Government officials said the pressure of other business prevented his return from Pittsburgh and there was nothing significant in his absence. : .. . ■ Sulk told newsmen Friday that he definitely would attend. He has been present at every similar scientific meeting and his absence led’to rumors that he has been disturbed by some government actions on the vaccine. At today’s discussion, only four ot the 11 scientific consultants who attended a similar meeting on Jund 30 were present. The government said some may have been ivnited but could not attend. On hand were Dr. W. M. Hammond, University of Pittsburgh; Dr. David Bodian, Johns Hopkins university; Dr. Joseph Smadel, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and Dr. Thomas F. Francis, University of Michigan. Also attending the session were technical representatives of the six pharmaceutical firms which manufacture the Salk vaccine. - — - Federal health officials said the final decision will come from U.S. surgeon general Leonard A. Scheele based on advice from the experts who have made a new plant by plant check of the Salk vaccine. Last week’s confidence that the program would soon be back on its feet seemed badly shaken. Officials Were privately speculating over just how bad the news would be. 1 >. The meeting pf - seieijypts, inspectors and manufacturers at the national institutes of health was planned for a thorough review of the lessons learned since the vaccine was produced and administer(Continued on Page Six) Baccalaureate Rites - Held Sunday Night High School Rites Held Last Evening “It’s your move next," the Rev. Virgil W. Sexton, pastor of the First Methodist church, told members of the graduating class of Decatur high school during the baccalaureate exercises at the school Sunday evening. In his sermon, the Rev. Sexton pointed out that "we are living in a ’jet-profiled’ age rushing from this to that without always being certain of our goal. There is no virtue in being in a hurry if we don’t know first of all where we are going," he stated. He told the graduates that the teachers and ministers had brought them to the threshold of life and what they do next is uj to them. He gave three suggestions for living their lives at the fullest. "First,” he said, “you must maintain a sensitivity to learning and tradition benefiting from the past learning and experience of others.” His second ppint was to maintain flexibility which includes the ability to continue learning and to “bounce back” after hardships and failures. For the third suggestion, the Rev. Sexton urged graduates to maintain genuine enthusiasm for what they do. To gain these three attributes, he advised, there is only one source, dedication to Almighty God. In conclusion he urged the graduates to make their next move a dedicated one in the presence of God. The baccaulaureate prpgram also included the call to worship and the invocation by the Rev. .William C. Feller, minister of the Zion Evangelical and Reformed church; a hymn, “Come Thou Almighty King;” scripture reading by the Rev. Ray J. Walther, minister of the First' Presbyterian church, and a solo. “The Lord Is My Shepherd" sung by Robert Sprague. Also on the program were' a prayer by the Rev. John Chambers, minister ot Trinity Evangelical United Brethren church; “Glory to God” sung by the high school choir; a hymn, “Are Ye Able;” and benediction by the Rev. Benjamin G. Thomas, minister of the Bethany Evangelical United Brethren church.

Decatur, Indiana, Monday, May 23, 1955.

Sen. Symington Calls On Administration To If yi-., . T» " ‘ O Clear Up Statements

Dock Workers Strike Major British Ports Thousands Strike In Jurisdictional ' j War Within Union LONDON (INS) — Thousands of dock workers at five major British ports struck today in a union jurisdicti6nal war which may lessen the Labor party's chances in Thursday's national election battle against the Conservatives. Labor Minister Si r Walter Monckton began talks with members ot the transport commission to try to avert another serious strike threatened by engineers and firemen at midnight Saturday. The total number of dock strikers was not immediately determined, but the National Amalgamated Stevedores and Dockers union which called the strike has 17,000 members. This small group is bucking the authority of the giant Transport and General Workers union, which has 1,300,000 members and is the largest single organisation supporting the Labor party. In mid-afternoon a total of 71 s ships were idle in the five porta of Landon, Liverpool, Birkenhead, Manchester and Hull. Ninety other ships were undermanned and only 61 were working normally. Only a minority of TGWU members Joined the strike called by the NASD, which wants greater recognition through representation on Joint dock, negotiating bodies and which has been accused by the larger union of "poaching" on its membership. More than 9.000 men struck at Liverpool and Birkenhead, but nearly 8,000 TGWU men continued work in those ports. Seven thousand men quit work in London, more than a thousand at Hull, and 1,300 at Manchester. Aaron Gerber Dies Early This Morning Funeral Services To Be Wednesday Aaron Gerber, 58, a lifelong resident of Adams and Wells counties, died at 3 o'clock this morning at his home in French township following a heart attack. He had been ill for 13 months. He was born in Wells county Aug. 28, 1896, a son of Jeff and Elisabeth Baumgartner - Gerber, and was married in 1923 to Ida •Roth. He was employed as a maintenance man at the Milk Condensery in Berne. Mr. Gerber was a member of the Apostolic Christian church. Surviving are his wife; tour eons, Ralph of Craigville, Harold of Bluffton, Virgil of Angola, and Lyle, at home; two grandchildren; three brothers, Samuel H. Gerber.* ot near Decatur, Eli Gerber of Goshen and Jack Gerber of Bluffton; and three sisters, Mrs. J. J. Fiechter of Craigville, Mrs. Amos Steffen of Milford, and Mrs. Amos Dubach of Bluffton. Two brothers are deceased. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Jahn funeral home in Bluffton, and at 2 p.m. at the Apostolic Christian church, the Rev. Samuel Aeschliman officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 o’clock this evening until time ot the services. -- ;- — Nine-Year-Old Boy Is Drowning Victim HUNTINGBURG, Ind. (INS) — Randall Arnold, nine-year-old son of Mrs. Esther Arnold, of Huntingburg, drowned in a private lake on the Lee Kirwer farm near Huntingburg. He was swimming with two other youths.

Highway Death Toll Is Lowest In Weeks Motorists Drive At Slower Speeds INDIANAPOLIS (INS) —lndiana’s week end highway deatti toll was the lowest in many weeks. Motorists apparently drove at j slower speeds after Governor George N. Craig announced a gpefCial state police crackdown followj sing huge fatalities tolls that oc- . curred during the past few weeks. However, there were two double fatalities crashes. l Harold Richardson, 18, of . Mooresville, and Charles L. Petro, 20, of Martinsville, were killed in a headon crash of automobiles . driven by the two victims on Road 67 one half mile south of Mooresville. State police said Petro’s automobile had a faulty steering gear. Sheila Robinson, 18, of Crawfordsville and James M. Cummins, 57, of Crawsfordsvllle, met death in a two car crash on Road 134 , near Hills bo ro, Montgomery county. Omar D. McMasters, Wabash College student driving the . car in which Miss Robinson was ' riding, was injured. , A three car crash on Road 31 at tfce north edge of Columbus cost the life of Pfc. Richard L. Shoots, , of Corydon, a national guard private stationed at New Albany, who > was driving a military Jeep. ' Four othef guardsmen and five civilians were injured, none seriously. Ralph J. Marino, 40, of Chicago, was charged with reckless driving after state police said his automobile struck the rear of another making a left turn and forced i it into the path of the jeep. i Lawrence E. Horton, 19. was ' (Oontinueu StFYiigeßEfJ Eden Party Appeals For Liberal Votes ~ British Election Scheduled Thursday LONDON (INS) — Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden’s conservative party appealed today for the support of liberal voters as the British general elections campaign entered its final days." Viscount Woolton, chairman and chief strategist of the Conservative party, urged Liberals to support his party in the May 26 voting and avoid "disaster" under the Laborites led by former prime minister Clement Attlee. The Liberal party elected six members to parliament in the last general election in 1951. They could damage either of the major parties since they have nominated candidates for more than a hundred of the 630 seats to be filled in the house of commons. — ■ ■ . Meanwhile, a dock strike which could affect the outcome of the elections began today. In addition, 70,000 railroad men are scheduled to walk out Saturday. Lord Woolton, in his appeal to Liberals, said Laborites were counting on victory in nine constituencies where the outcome would be affected by the presence of Liberal candidates. He urged Liberals to support Eden, saying “surely Liberal electors cannot find fault with his record or his policy.” % Plan To Decorate Decatur Buildings Representatives of the Wayne Decorating Co., Fort Wayne, are calling on Decatur business houses this week with a plan to decorate all buildings from June 10 to June 26. The decorations will be erected prior to the opening of the annual spring festival and amateur contest sponsored by Decatur merchants. The city will retain its carnival look throughout the following week, which will be dedication week for the Youth and Community Center,

Menon Refuses To Comment On Captive Fliers Indian Leader Ends Discussions With Red China Leader HONG KONG (INS)—lndia’s V. K. Krishna Menon refused to say today whether he had discussed captive American fliers during his talks with Red Chinese Premier Chou En Lai in Peiping. The chief Indian delegate to the United Nations parried questions of newsmen about the fliers by saying: “I didn't go to Communist China on a Red Cross mission.” When pressed for some comment on the 11 U. S. airmen imprisoned by Red China, Menon Indicated it was better not to raise the matter for the time being. He added, without offering explanation. that all questions had been discussed during his talks with Red leaders. He also said cryptically that “very often not saying something is news." Menon, who leaves Tuesday for New Delhi to make a complete report on his talks to prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, denied a report that Siuo-American talks would begin within 60 days. He did say, however, that he expected further talks about ways of easing Far East tension to be held “before very long.” He declared there were no arrangements for him to travel to WMhLnKton or London to set up face to face talks with the Chinese Reds! Menon ent off further inquiries with another cryptic statement He said: “In all these matters which I have said nothing, you must wait.” Mrs. Arthur Hall Dies Sunday Night Funeral Services To Be Wednesday Mrs. Ada Hall, 65, of 616 Cleveland street, died at 9:20 o’clock Sunday night at the Adams county memorial hospital. She had been ill since November. Slje was born in Preble township July 26, 1889, a daughter of Henry and Sophia Kiefer-Fuhr-man, and was married to Arthur Hall, an employe pf the Peterson clothing store, Nov. 20, 1912. Residents of Root township 35 years, they moved to Decatur in 1947. Mrs. Hall was a member of the Zion Lutheran church, the Valpp guild, the missionary society and the adult Bible class of the church, and the 'Root township home demonstration club. Surviving in addition to her husband are two brothers, Otto and Edwin Fuhrman of Fort Wayne, and two sisters, Mrs. William Werling and Mrs. Gustav' Koenemann, both of Preble. The body was removed to the Zwick funeral home, where friends may call after 7 o’clock this evening. Services will he conducted at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home and at 2 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran church, the Rev. Edgar P. Schmidt officiating. Burial will be in the Decatur cemetery. Cool r Wet Weather Forecast Tuesday INDIANAPOLIS INS) — The Indianapolis weather bureau today predicted cool and wet weather for Tuesday. Showers and thunderstorms were forecast for the state. There were storms and wind damage at Elwood and Winchester Sunday night. The rainfall at Elwood was .64 of an inch and at Winchester .66 ot an Inch.

List Graduates At Catholic Schools Graduation Rites On Friday, June 3 The names of 22 seniors who are candidates for diplomas at Decatur Catholic high school have been announced. Graduation ercises for these seniors and for 25 students who will be graduated from the eighth grade will be held Friday, June 3, in the high school auditorium. The seniors are Barbara Borman, Delores Braun, Joanne Braun, Edward Drum, Ann Durkin, Leola Ford, Alice Gage, Rosemary Gase, Marcella Gillig, Rita Heimann, Joan Laurent, Anna Marie Lengerich, Anita Mendez, Robert Miller, , Walter Mowery, Timothy Murtaugh, Nita Osterman, Kathleen Pursley, Hazel Roberts, Thomas Titus, Rheta Ulman and Charles Voglewede. The eighth grade class includes Angela Andrews, Gerald Baker, Kathleen Baker. Elizabeth Colpaert, James Coyne, Michael Durkin, Patrick Durkin, Jane Geimer, Paul Gross, Alvin Hackman, Carl Heiser, Mary Ann Jackson. Dolores Kohne, Kathleen Kohne, Judith Koors, Edward LaFontaine, Theresa Laurent, Anthony Lengerich, Joseph Mendoza, Leonida Mies, Robert Murphy, Alex Pursley, David Schulte, Stephen Sutton and Glen Wilder. The commencement address will! be given by the Very Rev. Msgr.l Aloysius Dirksen. C.PP.S., former president of St. Joseph’s college near Rensselaer now at Carthagena, O. The Very Rev. Msgr. J. J. Seimetz, pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic church and superintendent of the local Catholic schools, will distribute the diplomas. Sheppard Attorney Opens New Battle Asks Appeals Court To Upset Conviction CLEVELAND (INS) — Convicted wife killer Dr. Sam Sheppard was characterized today as a “typical American boy” as attorneys opened their battle in Cuyahoga county court of appeals to upset ; the osteopath’s second degree conviction. ’ tn his opening statements to the . three judge appellate court, chief defense counsel William Corigan 1 said “Dr. Sheppard had an excellent background, fine reputation, and fine character” as he began ' relating the oft told “background for murder.” Dr. Sheppard was convicted last Dec. 21 of the bludgeon slaying of his pregnant wife, Marilyn in 1 their suburban Bay Village home 1 last July 4. Corrigan asked the three judges to “consider the type of man that Dr. Sheppard was” in reaching j their decision on the highly publi- ' elzed case, which he said will be "widely read, widely quoted and ( widely cited throughout the United ( States.” , In supporting the defense con- t tention that a "bushy haired” intruder invaded the Sheppard home ( and beat the life out of Marilyn, , Corrigan cited several instances ( aimed at showing the Sheppard | home was an “open house” with j doors rarely locked in the day < light or night time hours. 1 The white haired attorney 1 brought out that Marilyn, Sam and J their young son, Chip, had spent several happy moments together < in the day immediately preceding s the murder. He specially pointed < to a dinner party held two days t before the murder attended by his I two brothers, their wives and Mar- * llyn. 1 Corrigan described the dinner party as a “celebration over the announcement of Marilyn's pregnancy.” Before Corrigan began his arguments the court informed him that ho would have “reasonable time” to present his side of the case. Dr. (Oonemuod oa race rive)

Price Five Cents

Calls On GOP Leaders Clear Up Statements Magazine Reports Red Air Strength Is Near To U. S. WASHINGTON (INS) — Sen. Stuart Symington (D-Mo.) called on the Eisenhower administration today to “confirm or correct” a published claim that Russia is winning the race for air superiority. The fprmer air secretary placed in the congressional record a “box score” of comprehensive U.S. Soviet air strength published by Aviation Week magazine. It said the Soviet Union has "virtually wipM out the once wide margin of technical superiority” held by the U.S. Symington again criticized what senate Democratic leader Lyndon Johnson (D-Texas) called a “rash of confusing statements” on defense made by Pentagon officials. Johnson demanded that they be ended. The Texan joined chairman Richard B. Russell (D-Ga.) in predicting that "in time” the senate armed services committee will get a "clarification” of relative U. S.-Soviet air strength. JotuMon’s statement was aimed al the series of varying Pentagon statements on the importance of Russia’s development of a new long range jet bomber and other advances. Sen. Stuart Symington (D-Mo.) warned last week that America has “lost control of the air” to the Soviets. ~ An authoritative aviation publication, meanwhile, has reported that “Russia is winning its technological race with the United States to develop superior air poweriL-and said top Pentagon leaders are “shocked” by the knowledge. “Aviation Week” cited specific details of the display put on by the Russians during May Day week in which they showed for the first time the new jet bombers and fighters which at least match latest U. S. aircraft The magazine said: “Current momentum of the Soviet technological drive has virtually wiped out the once wide margin of technical superiority enjoyed by the ,U. S. air force and naval air power.” It said the appearance of 50 new Russian supersonic day fighters over Moscow in the recent dis- ' play “was the first foreign inkling that this type existed." Johnson said in an interview: "It is about high time somebody got the generals and the defense secretary together so the right (Continued on Page Five) Junior Band Presents Concert Here Tuesday Clint Reed, band director of Decatur high school, announced that the junior band will present a free concert at 7:30 p. m. Tuesday on the court house lawn. Reed also announced plans for the summer music program which will Include the instruction of about 75 beginners. The newcomers to the band will receive their first lessons during the summer instead of in the fall as was done previously. Reed said that any youngster who would still be interested in joining the band may contact him. Other plana for the summer include arrangements for several sessions in chamber mtieic with small ensembles. A small group of students will also form a Jazz band to , 4 , perform next year and practice sessions for this group will be held throughout the summer. BULLETIN WASHINGTON (INS) — The supreme court upheld by a 9 to 2 decision today the deportation to Slolly of New Jersey racketeer Joseph Aooardl. The decision rovereed an appeals court ruling.