Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 53, Number 176, Decatur, Adams County, 28 July 1955 — Page 1

Vol. LIII. No. 176.

DECATUR CITY PLANT DAMAGED BY FIRE _ J y j f&gS kW / .. . r / f -1 imtihio! / I « xs.« OR '" ’-MA ’*’•* ''” J-• The fire-damaged area of the city water works plant on Third street is pictured above. The fire was caused when a tube in the boiler burst at 5:30 a. m., forcing the boiler fire out into the surrounding area. Mickey Ladd. 23, a city employe, was badly Burned in the firfe. An estimate of the damage was not available today.

Workman Badly Burned In Fire At City Plant

Mickey Ladd. 23, of 401 North Third street, a city employe for only three days, was badly burned in a fire this morning at the city poweKplant on Third street. was caused when a tube in*'X boiler burst, spreading the boil§,rlfjre out into the surrounding area. LadS was ,nearby when the minor explosion occurred. He was rubbed by other employes to the Adams county memorial hospital. where he was given emergency treatment and then was taken to the Parkview Memorial hospital in Fort Wayne. His condition was described as serious. The most severe burns were to his face and hands, but his legs and arms were also burned. • Another city employe. James Lough, 30, of 1021 Line street, was taken to the hospital after he was overcome by smoke and exhaustion while fighting the fire. City firemen were called'at 5:30 a.m. immediately after the explosion. Another alarm was necessary 15 minutes later. It took until almost 7 a.m. to bring things under control. . The fire damaged cables, motors, transmission and a fan blower which were in the basement area of the exploding boiler. No estimate on the damage was available and will not be made for a day or so until the boiler has cooled enough for inspection, according to Lester Pettibone, superintendent of the city light and poorer department. Shortly after the explosion the water power was off for a short time all over the city. The diesel plant on Dayton street carried the entire power load all niotning.General Electric company employes on the day shift were sent home when it was necessary to cut off the power to the factory. The diesel plant is not able to supply full power to thecity and factory and in order to keep electricity flowing into the local homes, the G.E. was asked to cut down its use of power temporarily. Pettibone stated that extra men were working today to clean up the mess caused by the fire. The Third street plant was back into operation at noon today. Child Electrocuted By Electric Switch SOUTH BEND, Ind. (INS) —A two-year-old boy w?s electrocuted at his home in Mishawake Wednesday while playing with the electric switch on a window fan. 4 The victim wasT homes Midday, only child of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Midday. His mother said she left the child playtag in the living room of their home and when she returned a few minutes later she found his body on the floor near the fan. '.. -

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Four Club Projects Judged Wednesday 4-H Club Projects Judging Continues Girls 4-H projects of the Jefferson Work and Win club, the Wabash Cloverleaf and Cloverblossom clubs, the Hartford Happy Go Lucky club and the French Peppy Peppehs club were judged Wednesday. At Jefferson the blue, ribbon winners for baking were Gail Egly, Pat Smitley, Sharon Miller. Jeannie Stolz, James Adams, cfarl Baker, Joan Kuhn, Louise Lehman, Audrey Kuhn, Colleen Egly, Pat Bollenbacher, Virginia Baker, Helen Rumple, Rachael Stolz and Alice Stuber. Clothing awards went to Cheryl Bauman. Judy Caffee, Jeannie Stolz, Gail Egly, Darlene Smitley, Louise Lehman, Helen Rumple and Colleen Egly. Winners of the food preservation ribbons were Gail Egly. Virginia Baker, Pat Bollenbacher, Colleen Egly and Helen Rumple. Baking winners in the Wabash Cloverleaf club were Norene FarJow, Betty Kirchhofer. Betty Lehman, Rosetta Liechty, Susan Neuenschwander, Janice -Yoder, Evelyn-Kirchhofer, Becky Neuenschwander, Neva VonGunten, Rosalind Bauman and Ruth Teeter. Clothing winners in this club were Betty and Bonnie Lehman, Rosetta Liechty, Rita Neuenschwander, Rosalind Bauman, Janet Brown, Judy Fosnaugh, Elsie Neuenschwander. Alice Lehman. Notene Farlow and Ruth Teeter. Pauline Bixler and Alice Lehman won food preservation blue ribbons. Blue ribbon winners in the Cloverblossom club of Wabash township were Kathleen Grile, Joyce Mosser, Kennie Nevil, Wanda Sprunger, Beverly Mosser, Joy Everhart and Evelyn Mann for baking, and Wanda Sprunger. Janet Laux, Joy Everhart, Janice VanEmon and Evelyn Mann for clothing. Hartford club members who won ribbons for baking were Sharon Huser, Barbara Pyle, Dian Banter, Sharon Martin, Nancy Meshberger, Twanette Schrock. Jane Duff, Kaye Schafer, Berdella Alt, and Margaret Schaefer. The clothing awards went to Ellen Lindsey, Sharon Martin, Nancy Meshberger, Barbara Pyle, Twanette Schrock, Dian Banter ants Berdella Ait. Dian Banter and Kaye Schaefer received food preservation awards. Members of the French Peppy Peppers who won awards were Patsy Isch, Janeil Kipfer and Sherryl Zerkel for baking; Ann Moser and Rozella Pfister for clothing, and Janeil Kipfer and (Continued on Page Five}

Future Os Air Secretary Up To President Eisenhower Awaits Committee Report On Talbott Case WASHINGTON (INS) — Air force secretary Harold E. Talbott’s future as a member of the Eisenhower team rests today with the President. Mr. Eisenhower assumed sole responsibility Wednesday for the retention or dismissal of the Ohioan, who, he said, has “almost brilliantly performed" his official duties. The Chief Executive emhpasized he would have to wait until the senate investigations subcommitl tee had completed its probe of TalI bott’s outside business activities before making his decision. But he hinted at subsequent quick action by telling his news conference: “As far as I am concerned then, the matter is temporarily in abeyance, but it is going to be handled by myself personally.” No early advice on the problem appeared forthcoming from the senate subcommittee, which closed its hearings in the case Wednesday. Sources close to the subcommittee said they doubt the group will complete a report- on ’the Talbott case prior to adjournment of congress. > This would mean that there might not be a report until con‘ gress returns next January. The subcommittee’s four days of hearings concluded Wednesday when Talbott told the group that: 1. He was “mistaken” in writing letters and making telephone calls from his Pentagon office on behalf of Paul B. Mulligan and Co., a New York efficiency firm in which he had hal finterest. 2. He has resigned his partnership in the firm, effective Sunday, July 31, rather than "injure" the air force which he loves. 3. He admitted telephoning a Radio Corp, of America attorney to challenge RCA’s question of whether it would be proper to do business with his firm. But he said (Contin'iea on rage Five) BULLETIN WASHINGTON (INS) — Hopes of congress adjourning Saturday today when speaker Sam Rayburn (DTex.) announced that the house will meet Monday. Congressional leaders are a striving for adjournment next week, however. Democratic chiefs said that the senate and house may be able to quit Wednesday or Thursday. TSU, Japan (INS) — Thirty six Japanese coeds drowned today when they were swept out to sea by a swift current while swimming at Bunkamura Beach at Tsu in central Japan. Artificial respiration saved eight of ths 44 girls caught in the current, but the rest did not respond to treatment.

ONLY DAILY NKWBRAPIR IN ADAM* COUNTY f

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday, July 28, 1955.

Eisenhower Calls For Congress To Restudy His HighwayProgrm

— Opponents Os Gas Bill Fail To Kill Act 4 House Declines To Shelve Gas Measure Until Next Session WASHINGTON (INS) — Opponents of legislation to eliminate federal controls on natural gas production lost their initial attempt today to kill the controversial bill. The house refused to set the bill aside until next year. Instead, it voted. 272 to 135, to consider the measure immediately, debate it for three hours, and then vote on the proposal. Speaker bam Rayburn (D-Tex.) threw his wegiht behind the resolution calling up the measure. He told members: “Let’s have the courage to meet the issue and vote the bill up or down.” But Rep. James Delaney (DN. Y.) who led the opposition, insisted the house would waste its time "debating the measure because the senate will not act on it before congress adjourns. Delaney charged that the bill. If enacted, would coat the natipn’a 25 million gas consumers ‘*bilHoM of dollars oWr ths years." Disposal of the gas bill would leave only one “must” piece- of legislation still to be enacted by the house before adjournment. That is the housing bill. The rules committee, where it has been pigeonholed since July 1, may release it today. '• Another “must” measure, the road construction program, went down to defeat in the house. Still another, the foreign aid appropriation bill, won conference agreement, and the $2.7 billion measure will be cleared to the White House soon Although there is still talk of possible adjournment by Saturday night, majority leader John McCormack (D-Mass.) told the White House he guessed it would be Wednesday or Thursday before the first session of the 84th congress adjourns sine die. The senate has been waiting for the house to catch up. The new natural gas measure, sponsored by Rep. Oren Harris (D-Ark.) won the approval of the bouse interstate and foreign commerce committee by only one vote. Frank Fawcett Dies Al Van Wert Today Funeral Services Saturday Afternoon Frank Fawcett, 75, of Van Wert, O. retired railroader, died at 7:45 o’clock this morning at the Castle convalescent home in that ; city after a year’s illness. He was born in Van Wert county March 31, 1880, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Levi Fawcett, and was employed by the New York Central railroad for 42 years. Mr. Fawcett was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge and the. Brotherhood of Railroad Maintenance. Surviving are his wife, Mary; two daughters, Mrs; Glen Mauller of Decatur and Mrs Harold Mur ; phy of Van Wert; two grandchildren. and three sisters, Mrs. Mary Summersett of Hollywood, Fla., Mrs. Tom Lynch of Fort Wayne and Mrs. Noah Ashbaugh of Grover Hill, O. Funeral services will’be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Alspach funeral home in Van Wert, the will be in the Woodlawn cemetery at Van Wert. Friends may call at the funeral home until time of the service®. 12 Page*

- 1 " •- • r • Score Handling Os Deportation Case House Committee Cites Inefficiency ,4) ■ WASHINGTON (INS) — A special house investigating subcommittee reported that the deportation case of Cleveland racekteer Francesco Brancato revealed “shocking inefficiency.” . The house government operations unit, headed by Rep. Robert H. Mollohan (D-W. Va.) made public a report of its findings Wed- . nesday In which it strongly criticized the immigration and naturalization service. Brancato is now under deportation orders. He was denaturalized in 1939 after serving a term in the Ohio penitentiary from 1932 to 1936 for perjury. In 1951, deportation proceedings were launched and he was ordered expelled from the country in 1953. The board of immigration appeals ruled last March that Brancato was eligible for suspension of his deportation, but then overruled itself on May 25. The subcommittee said that although the immigration service had bungled the case, it found no proof of “improper influence” in the handling of the matter. Two Killed As Car Runs Under Truck Two Youths Killed in Rochester Today ROCHESTER. Ind. (INS) —Two youths were killed today when the automobile in which they were riding ran underneath a semi-trac-tor trailer truck at a Rochester railroad crossing. Dead were Felix Clement Williams, 19, and Thomas Hart, 22, both of R. R. 5, Rochester. ' City, county and state officers, who investigated, said a car driven by Williams ran under a truck driven by Earl Edward Keck, Rossville, |Ga., when the truck slowed for an Erie railroad crossing. Police said the cats driven by Williams, was traveling between 60 to 70 miles an hour at the time. Both youths had palyed on the Richland Center high school bas(Contlnued on Pago Five) House Passes Bill For Foreign Aid WASHICNGTON (INS) —The house today passed the compromise bill providing $2,703,341,750 in new aid to friendly nations artiund the world. Senate approval will send the big money measure to the White House. President Eisenhower is expected to sign the bill even though it appropriates $503,300,000 less than he said. Budget Filed By County Assessor " Is Slight Increase Over 1954 Request County assessor Walter Koos filed a budget request of $4,715 today in the office of the county auditor to be submitted to the county council. This is a 415 Increase over the 1954 request and is $737 more than the assessor’s office actually received in regular and emergency appropriations during the past year. The budget for the coming year includes $1,500, salary of assessor; S9OO, per diem; $1,400 clerical help; $l4O, operating expenses; $25, repair of equipmenL and $750 for assessment’ forms and bookbinding. The increase is in salaries. The deadline for filing budget requests is Aug. 3. The budget wtll be submitted to the county council when the councilmen meet Sept. 6,7 and 8.

■"'»« <+ " A. *' Sofia Admits Plane Downed By Bulgarians Sofia Radio Says Downed Airliner Flew Off Course VIENNA (INS) —Sofia radio ad1 mitted today that Bulgarian antiaircraft gunners shot down an Israeli airliner, kHling 58 persons, at least nine of them Americans. The Israeli airline said a recheck ’ shewed that the plane carried 51 passengeres and seven crewmen. The Communist broadcast, heard in Vienna and other European cities, said the four engine El Al ' Constellation strayed “off its course” en route to Israel Wednesday and flew over Bulgarian territory. The airliner crashed in flames just north of the Greek frontier. The broadcast, quoting the Bulgarian telegraph agency, said the Sofia government deeply regretted the incident and had named a special commission to investigate. All but two of the Americans were women and young girls from New York. Some of the passengers were be-> Tiered to be Russians. The others were French, Polish. Israeli and one stateless man. The Sofia broadcast, which ended 24 hours of official Bulgarian silence on the incident, said flatly the plane “crashed and was destroyed and all passengers and crewmen were killed.” ' The radio announcement con- ’ finned earlier reports from border guards and other eyewitnesses in northern Greece that Bulgarian guns had fired upon the plane. The announcement said the air liner “departed from its route and ' entered Bulgarian air space in the area of the town of Tarn without ' warning.” ' It added that the plane "then flew over the towns of Stanke, De- ’ mitrov and over Petrich.” The statement said Bulgarian anti-aircraft batteries “were unable to identify the plane” and J that “after a few warnings open- ’ ed fire with the result that the plane crashed in the area north * of Petrich.” Arthur Lourie, Israeli deputy director for foreign affairs, left Vi(Contuiuea on rage Five) James Arnold Dies ; Al Home In Delphi J Former Business Man Here Is Dead James F. Arnold, 65, former ' Decatur business man, died at 9 * o’clock this morning at his home in Delphi.” He had been in failing health for several months and had been hospitalized in Fort Wayne on several occasions within the past year. Mr. Arnold left Decatur many years ago, moving at that tiipe to Fort Wayne, where he resided for many years. He was born in Jay county Dec. 18, 1889. Surviving are three daughters, 1 Mrs. Charold Poinsette and Mrs. Robert Storey, both of Fort Wayne; and Miss Frances Ardold, at home; three sons, Travers (Tad) Arnold of Paulding, 0., J. Robert and-John F. Arnold, both of Fort Wayne; six grandchildren; three brothers, Everett Arnold of New Haven, Ben Arnold of Bryant and Mark Arnold of Kokomo, and three sisters, Mrs. Myrtle Bratton of Kokomo, Mrs. Grace Lawless of Muncie and Mrs. Nina Stillman of Bryant - Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph’s Catholic church in Fort , W’ayne. The body has been removed to the Klaehn funeral home in Fort Wayne, where friends may call after 7 o’clock Friday evening.

American Newsmen Bid To North Korea Invitation Touches Off Debate In U. S. WASHINGTON (INS) —A North Korean Communist invitation to American newsmen to visit Pyongyang tor the 10th anniversary of victory over Japan has touched off a debate within the TJ. S. government. It is expected that secretary of ■ State John Foster Dulles, or per- • haps even the White House, wiH ■ have to make the final decision. The decision is expected shortly. ’ Representation of the state de--1 pratment, the Pentagon and information agencies are involved in 1 the debate. ! ‘ It was started in Panmunjom . when the Communists invited U. S. nwesmen to attend the anniver- ! sary celebration of “liberation” from Japan. In both state and defense departments there are those on either side of the argument. Those in fa- , vor say: 1. The visit would contribute to . the general and growing atmosphere of relieved tensions around i the world. l The viait would be consistent with the concept of freedom of . the pres. » ' 4. America would gain Important 1 information from trained observers visiting Pyongyang, the North . Korean Communist capital. i 4. Objective American newsmen ,• probably would write copy which - would please the free world and 1 displease the Communists. Those opposed to the visits say: -1. If American newsmen are perr mitted to go to North Korea there i would be no logical reason to fori bid them to go into Communist China, which to the American r view controls North Korea. i 2. If American newsmen are perj mitted to go iifto Communist China, t there would be no logical way to deny American businesmen and a others to visit the country. >- 3. There would be a bad effect on Japanese if Americans joined ii North Koreans in celebrating the i- defeat of the Japanese empire. 1 4. The worst reaction of all would i- come from Syngman Rhee’s Re--3 public of Korea with which the i U. S. is now involved in delicate negotiations. ■ Former Texas Land Head Is Convicted AUSTIN, Tex. (INS) —Former Texas land commissioner Bascom Giles, who fathered and administered the state’s SIOO million veterans laud program,, was convicted early today of helping a friend use the plan to steal money from the state. He was sentenced to three years • in the state penitentiary. I _ Gas Company Strike Threat Is Averted Employes Vote To Accept Wage Offer HAMMOND, Ind. (INS) — A strike of 1,900 employes of the Northern Indiana public service company, which would have affected 29 Northern Indiana counties, has been averted by a wage . settlement. The employes, members of local 12775 of United Mine Workers District 50, Voted to accept a wage offer of from seven to 10 cents hourly increase. A strike had been set for Aug. 10. Another strike deadline was delayed from Aug. 7 to Sept. 7 for 740 workers of" the American Maize Products company, of Hammond. They voted to accept a fivecent an hour wage increase offer . but to continue to negotiate in the hopes of getting a larger increase. The negotiations were on wage re-opener clauses in existing contracts.

Price Five Cents

New Highway Bill Is Killed By House Vote Overwhelming Vote In House Defeats Highway Program WASHINGTON (INS) — President Eisenhower called on congress today to reconsider before its adjournment his highway program which was killed in the house Wednesday. In an unusual statement, the Chief Executive said he is “deeply disappointed” by the house action which apparently ended any chance for enactment of highway legislation this year. Mr. Eisenhower declared: “I would devoutly hope that the congress would reconsider this entire matter before terminating this ses- ■ sion.” The house rejected both the President's highway plan and an alternative Democratic proposal to pay for new highways through tax boosts instead of the bond issue sought by the administration. . Mr. Eisenhower said: “There is difference of conviction, I realise, over means of financing this construction. I have proposed one method of financing which I consider to be sound. Others have proposed other methods. “Adequate financing there must be, but contention over the method should not be permitted to deny our people these critically needed roads. “The nation badly needs new highways. The good of our people, of our economy and of our defense, requires that construction of these highways be undertaken at once." Following Wednesday’s action, house speaker Sam Rayburn (D Tex.), declared that as far as he is concerned, the legislation is dead until 1957. Rep. George Fallon (D Md.), author of the house bill, agreed. However, backers of the senateapproved version said they believed the house might accept their bill early in 1956. The senate measure, sponsored by Sen. Albert Gore (D-Tenn.), calls for a five-year program to cost the states and federal government $lB billion. The Gore bill did not provide for any additional revenue to pay for the expanded program — and this was the problem the house refused to solve. Administration spokesmen said President Eisenhower would veto any highway bill which did not pay for itself. Congressmen generally agreed that a new super highway system is needed. However, they turned down the administration's proposal to issue long term bonds by a 221-193 margin, and then rejected the higher taxes on road users by a 292 to 123 vote. The outcome was a sharp defeat not only for President Eisenhower but also for house Democratic leaders. Rayburn and others had thrown their full weight behind a proposal to raise $12.5 billion in new taxes over the next 16 years. More Polio Vaccine Is Shipped Today INDIANAPOLIS (INS) ments of Salk polio vaccine were sent by air today to six states, Alaska and the Canal Zone from an Indianapolis pltarnvceuiticul com- ■- pany. The shipments, totaling 201.7®6, went from Eli Lilly and Company, and were part of the 1,090,000 shots cleared Wednesday by U. S. surgeon general Leonard A. Scheele. * ■ *■' - * INDIANA WEATHER Fair, hot and humid but with a chance of scattered thundershowers In north tonight Friday, fair, hot and humid. Low night 72-78. High Friday 95-100.