Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 54, Number 3, Decatur, Adams County, 5 January 1956 — Page 1

Vol. LIV. No. 3.

HOME DESTROYED BY FIRE THIS MORNING Wy 'S*I ' V/ I IF *v jz I ■' X. w x ■ L < ’ \1 L - WSMk»'\.‘ ’ *•«--. \ M M /71Z ZX. - - pgs "^' y >v T . * J J* djtwk I )' J* ■kt l\lz/ *i\l/ WrZOT f >< IF „Z HI O W - £ X H : SS>Mbhi 1 if J • . * SB *HB ■Br ■ /<’ S« b k •> ■ *- 111 > ' 1 HI B®F> "i I I 711\ V ■ I jjf/ / iJK 1 , 1 ', Wnf / wwbMiw* 11 ' ;•■ ' ‘ :-MK |p |g | g ?%• 9| ®9| 1111 m I - il|||i * : .«■s&■ f«l|||K I DECATUR FIREMEN battle the blaze which destroyed this apartment house in Bellmont Park this morning. The house was owned by Dr. Roland Reppert and was completely gutted by the fire. Furnishings and clothing in the two occupied apartments were also completely destroyed. The fire was believed caused by an overheated furnace in the basement and the house was in flames before the firemen arrived.

Fire Destroys House East Os Decatur Today

Fire completely destroyed an apartment house in Bellmont park this morning and all of the Clothing and furnishings of the two occupied apartments were lost. The house, owned by Dr. Roland Reppert, was occupied by Mr. and .Mrs. Kenneth Everett in one apartment. and MUs Genevieve Keller and her sister, Mrs-Lillian Shanahan, in the other apartment A third apartment on the second Story was unoccupied. 7 a. m. after it had gotten a good start jnd by the time firemen arrivedthe house was in flames. Firemen, battled the blaze for almost five hours before it was completely extinguished. Slate walls and rooting burned quickly and caused the fire to spread in a short time throughout the entire structure- Only a portion of the outside walls were left standing when the final spark was extinguished. H . The fire started in the basement of the house when a furnace became overheated. After filling the basement with flames and smoke, It, spread to the upper two stories of the house, completely gutting the inside and consuming the roof and sides. Everett was not at home when the fire broke out. Shortly after he left for work at Huntington. the family dog barked and awoke Mrs. Everett, who fled from the house. The crackling walls wakened Miss Keller and Mrs. Shanahan. They reported the fire and then were also forced out of the house. Neither family was able to save anything except some money. Firemen digging through the ruins after the fire was extinguished found a few minor items which were not destroyed- — Among the Untouched items was a Holy Bible belonging to tlje Everetts, a case containing some money, shoes owned by Miss Keller and her sister, and also some of their jewelry. However, all of the furniture in both apartments went up in flames. The Everett furniture included a new washer and drier not yet connected for operation. An exact estimate of the damage will not be available until insurance adjusters can make their investigation. It was learned that, in addition to the insurance, on the house, each some Insurance on possessions z One injury resulted from the fire. Mrs. Shanahan, in her haste to get out of the blazing house, cracked her heel bone. She was taken to the Adams county memorial hospital for treatment. « Mrs Wanda Oelberg find Mrs. R. C. Hersh of the Red Cross were on the scene of the fire with hot coffee and doughnuts for the regular and volunteer firemen who fought the fire- f ,

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DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT y- ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY / r ” .

Mistinguett Dies At Home In Paris Former Paris Night “Life Queen Is Dead PARIS (INS) — Mistinguett, toast of the French musical stage for decades, died today at the age of 82. She suffered a cerebral, hemorrhage on Christmas Eve. Glamorous “queen of Paris night life” at the-turn of the century, she became a legend within her own lifetime. The great French music hall star, whose shapely legs, luxurious living and passionate loves had the .world agog, was a true symbol of “Gal Paris” in all its former glitter. - - ---- —— - Mistinguett was not a pretty girl. Neither did she have an exceptional singing voice. But she had a strong will, sharp tongue and a violent desire for the stage. She also possessed a tantalizing talent for presenting her legs to the public. This was the key to her fabulous success. ~ These legs—which she insured for a million pounds —-.put her name in lights throughout the world and won tor her the hearts of monarchs and millionaires. At the height of her dazzling career between 1910 and 1925, Mistinguett reveled in furs, silk, jewelry and a crocodile-uslhpot Rolls-Royce. Mistinguett was born Jeanne Bourgois at Enghlen, a Paris suburb, in February, 187,3, of a Bel-giaa-4allier and a French mother. When a very small child, she sang and danced in her father’s mattress-making shop. But later, when' Mistinguett expressed her {(rowing desire to start, on a variety stage career, her parents stif-, fened. against it. When they realized, however, how determined she was to carry out her dream, they sent her to an old singing and dancing teacher named Boussagol. She was 14 ygars old when she took her first lesson. After working professionally in obscure Paris music .hails and theatres, Mistinguett broke into the “big timet when she was hired for a show at the famous Casino De Paris. From then on Mistinguett was known the world over as the “queen of Paris night life.” Plumbing Worker Fatally Injured ; INDIANAPOLIS. (IN#) —Harold Bates, 38, of Allendale, 111., a plumbing company worker, died Wednesday of injuries suffered Nov. 3 when he was sprayed with dive steam after a gasket blew out on a steam pipe tn a manhole In which he was working

Fail To Halt Stormy Strike At Westinghouse Federal Mediator Issues Appeal To Company, Union PHILADELPHIA (INS)—Efforts by the federal mediation and conciliation service to end the stormy 12-week-old strike at plants of the Westinghouse Electrip Corp, failed Wednesday in Philadelphia. After an aay taias Between representatives of the company anil the AFL-CIO International Union of Electrical Workers. Joseph F. Finnegan, head of the federal agency, Issued a statement of failure to settle the issues. He coupled this, however, with an appeal to both parties to submit their differences to an impartial fact-finding board. Union officials immediately offered to have the 45,000 strikers" return to their jobs on condition that Westinghouse “agree to be bound by the findings of the board and not discriminate against any striker.” Westinghouse bargainers left the offices of the mediation service without any indication of whether they would return and either, a&fept or reject the offer. The Westinghouse representatives have 24 hours in which to notify the service of their decision. officials of the mediation service said. Finnegan said that no further meetings have been scheduled pending the outcome as the recommendation. ' “v The I.UE has struck 29 Westinghouse plants. It is seekirig a 15 cent hourly pay boost for the remainder of the two-year contract expiring in October. Westinghouse is demanding that the current pact be scrapped and replaced by a ffve-year contract. Report Violence MANSFIELD, 0. (INS)—Another 300 strikers milled around the Westinghouse Electric Corp, plant in Mansfield, 0., today, shouting insults at returning workers, overturning a car ahd reportedly throwing rocks and punches. About 150 men gathered in the plant parking lot for the second straight day while another 150 dispersed in small groups around the plant area. As each worker left his car to cross picket lines, the strikers trailed closely behind him, shouting intimidations. Several men claimed that they were punched or hit by rocks as they entered the plant, but by the time some of <he dozen or more police officers spread around the plant area reached the trouble spot, the brief clash had died and another was in progress at some other section. ■ Westinghouse officials said the'y would go into common pleas court today to file contempt of court -charges against/! the massed strikers. :- A previous injunction limited the number of pickets at (Continued On Page Five) INDIANA WEATHER ~ Partly cloudy and warmer tonight with light southerly winds. Low tonight 28. Friday, fair and mild.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday, January 5, 1956.

Eisenhower Declares U.S. At Unparalleled Level Os Prosperity

Benson, Ike To Confer On Farm Proposal Eisenhower Plans Special Message To Congress On Monday WASHINGTON (INS)— Agriculture secretary Ezra Taft Benson flies to Key West; Fla., today to hand President Elsenhower the “tentative draft” of the special farm message the Chief Executive will send to congress on Monday. The importance Mr. Eisenhower attaches to the worsening farm situation is evidenced by the fact that his 1956 legislative farm prc> posals will be sent to, Capitol Hill before the annual budget and economic messages. Benson told newsmen that “finishing touches” to the draft were being made at the White House prior to his afternoon departure from Washington’s National Airport. He said this while pointing out that hff had called a two-day wheat conference to consider the problem of growing surpluses on the day before he. was to carry the final draft of the special farm message to the President. Benson was scheduled to breafe fast this morning with GOP senate agriculture committeemen and Republican members of the subcommittee On appropriations. The breakfast meeting, similar to one he attended Wednesday with GOP house farm leaders, is intend*ed to outline in general terms the legislation the administration plans to propose Monday. After the session Benson will confer again with a group of 16 wheat industry spokesmen from eight states and the District of Columbia on the best way to tackle the staggering wheat surplus problem In 1956. Rentz Is Reelected As Assistant Chief 74 Calls Made By Firemen Last Year Georgg Rentz, volunteer Decatur fireman was reelected assistant Chief of the volunteer department for 1956, it was announced today, department, also is chief of the department also is chief of the volunteer department. Other officers named for 1956 were E. Beam, secretary, and Maurice Colchin, treasurer. . _ . ' Fisher has compiled his report for the year and will file It with the mayor and city council in the next few days. It includes a report on 74 calls made during 1955 by the local department and a total estimated loss of less than $20,000 in fires for the year. —— ~ - 'There were 60 city runs and 14 rifral runs for fire calls. There also were three special calls. The’ tires were broken down in the report as follows: Grass fires. 3; trash fires, 6; autos and trucks. 11; oil stoves, 6: oil heaters. 7; defective wiring. 4; grease fires, 2; false alarms, ,1?. On 4 fatality was included in the report and that was the death of Mickey Ladd, attributed to burns received at the city power plant fire. Three Persons Dead In Traffic Crash NOBLESVILLE, Ind- (INS) — State police said today that disregard of a stop sign caused the death ofthree members of a Kentucky family at the intersection of Roads 32 and-28 two miles east of Noblesville Wednesday afternoon. The dead are Mrs. Virginia Libbe, 25. of Covington. Ky.; her daughter, Vickie Marie Libbe, 4, and-her half sister. Mrs. Jane Beresford, 48. of Ludlow, Ky.

'Three Indianapolis II Plants Are Struck 3,200 Workers Are Affected By Strike INDIANAPOLIS (INS) — A i strike began at three Indianapolis plants of the P. R. Mallory Company at midnight, affecting some 3,200 workers. Pickets were posted but negotiators of the company and of the International Union of Electrical Workers continued to try for a settlement. Union president Robert L. Fortner said: “Any presentation of the company must contain contractual language suitable- and must be ratified by a meeting of the union. The strike does not involve economic issues and can be called off at a moment’s notice.” Mallory president Joseph E. Cain said: “The union leaders are not will-, ipg to take our offer to their membership because they know it will be overwhelmingly accepted. We have made a good offer for the union members but it is not so good for the union leaders because it will not permit their roving ambassadors of ill will to walk ‘ through our plants and create dis- ’ tension.” A two-year contract offered by 1 the company includes wage and fringe benefits of more than 10, i cents above the 1 cents an hour, an automatic in- ’ crease of four cents per hour at the end oL-the first year and an incentive plan permitting earnings ' up to 30 per cent above base scale* Adenauer Honored On 80th Birthday German Chancellor Pafd Honor Today BONN (INS)—An early morning serenade by a choir of school children launched West Germany’s tribute to Chancellor Konrad Adenauer on his 80th birthday today. Virtually the entire nation is celebrating the occasion, the biggest birthday party in Germany since the war. After hearing the hand - picked group of boys and girls at his Rhoendorf villa across the Rhine, the chancellor wdnt to mass and thsa motored to the chancellory in Bonn. The route to his office was lined with waving and shouting people, wishing well to the man who has . ted them from the economic and social chaos pf the war-ruined na- , tion to booming prosperity within the Atlantic alliance. When the tall, erect Adenauer , arrived at his office at 9 a.m., he ! stood on the steps surrounded by. his children and grandchildren listening to. the first “operational band of the new West German > army. — The musicians, in the grey unii forms and peaked hats of the “cii vilian" army played the old hymn. ’ “Praised Be the Lord.” The chan- • eellor appeared to be moved. - r Inside the chancellory, the cab- • (net room and adjoining ones were stripped of furnitute to accommb- ■ date the gifts which have poured in • from 'around the nation and the 1 world. f The presents Included live sheep, ! (these were not in the cabinet ■ room), an outsize eel, 73 types of sausage, every type of German wine and bound volumes of the chancelolr’s favorite carnival songs. Continued Mild Is tndiana Forecast 1 INDIANAPOLIS (INS) —The t Indianapolis weather bureau today t predicted continued mild weather -for IndianaThe forecast *a» for partly i cloudy and warmer today, topight r and Friday with temperatures above the freezing point in the » daytime qnd a little below it At night. ' ' r ■

Legislation Is Introduced On Flood Relief 3 Billion Dollar Program Designed In Insurance Plan WASHINGTON (INS) —The administration proposed today a fHe-year. $3 billion program designed to protect homeowners cud small businessmen against financial ruin from flood disasters. Legislation authorising the “experimental" flood insurance program was introduced in congress by Sen. Prescott Bush (R-Conn.) whose state was the hardest hit in the 1955 floods. Under the measure drafted by administration leaders, a federal flood indemnity administration would be created to handle flood indemnity obligations up to $1.9 billion. , In addition, the bill would authorize the President to increase the agency’s operations by another one billion dollars if necessary. Further, a system of reinsurance would be provided to allow private insurance companies to handle another SIOO million of flood insurance. Cost of the Indemnity against flood damage would be split three ways, under the Bush bill. Individuals obtaining the protection would pay 60 percent of the premium. while participating states and the federal government r would share the remaining 40 percent equally. ' There would be a ceiling of $250,000 on each individual indemnity contract. To limit the aid to persons suffering severe flood damage, the program would require a deductible clause on each contract. Under this arrangement, the first S3OO of damage plus 10 percent of the total claim would not be reimbursed by the flood administration. Winteregg Is Named To Appeals Board Elmer Winteregg Is Appointed By Cole Elmer Winteregg. Jr., member of the Zwick funeral home firm, today was named by Mayor Robert Cole to succeed Sylvan Rupert on the hoard of zoning appeals. Rupert resigned Several weeks ago because of 111 health. The new zoning board member has been associated In business at the Zwick funeral home in Decatur for seventt years, Mr. and Mrs." Winteregg and their two children reside at 132 Limberlopt Drive in Stratton Place. Rupert was one of the original appointees on the board, named eight years .ago last November by the retiring mayor, John Stults. Until'.his recent illness, he never missed a meeting of the board. The board Is now comprised of Charles Cloud, Robert Yost, Robert Gay, Deane Dorwin and the new? member, Winteregg. President Cloud said he would call a meeting in the next few days for the purpose of naming a secretary, a vacancy created by the recent resignation of Robert Anderson. Terre Haute Woman Guilty In Slaying TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (INS) — Mrs. Evelyn Mae Fuller, 31, of Terre Haute, faces a two-to-21 year sentence today for killing her blind husband, Wallace Fuller" 48-year-old attorney. A Vigo circuit court jury of 11 men and one woman ruled her guilty of manslaughter in connection with the fatal shooting of her husband after a scuffle in their apartment last Mdrch 14.

C. C. Entertainer Bonnie Lou e Plan Entertainment At C. Os C. Banquet Annual Banquet To Be Held Jaafbry 12 * Bonnie Lou, a performer for radio station WLW and WLW-TV in Cincinnati, 0., will entertain at the annual Chamber of Commerce ' banquet Thursday evening, Jan. 12, at the Decatur, Youth and Community Center. / A papular vocalist, Bonnie Lou worked in radio first at Bloomington, 111., and later in Kansas City, Mo. She also sang with several’ bands before coming to WLW. Ballads and westerns' are her specialties but she is also considered a top yodeler. She gained national fame through her appearance on NBC’s “Midwestern Hay ride” which Is a summer feature of the network. Born in Towanda, life, she started her career of entertainment playing the violin at the age of six. Later she switched to the guitar and her Swiss mother taught her to yodel. In private life she is Mrs. Glenn Ewlns and has a daughter, Connie Jo. In addition to Bonnie Lou's appearance, the banquet will feature other entertainment, a prominent speaker and the installation of 1956 C. of C. officers. The committee in charge of arrangements is headed by Dr. James Burk. Each Chamber member will be responsible for the sale of two tickets. Fred Kolter, executive secretary of the Chamber, will contact members to confirm reservations. It was also announced that the general public is Invited to attend. Tickets for the event are available at Smith Drug and Holthouse Drug“as well as at the Chamber office. Seek Blood Donors For Jan. 11 Visit More Donors Needed To Meet Goal Here Volunteer staff aides are working this week to schedule .enough blood donors to fill the quota of the next visit of the Rdd Cross bloodmoblle Wednesday, Jan. 11, ' in Decatur. " ' Mrs. Ed Bauer, chairman of the county blood program, said today that at least 40 more donors must be scheduled if the quota Is to be met for this visit. She added that there is- a special- need, for new donors and urged persons to volunteer To give blood. Those who are assisting with ' the scheduling this week are Mrs. I Joe Hunter, Mrs. William Keller. r Mrs. Herman Krueckeberg, Mrs. I William Lose and Mrs. .Arnold - Ostermeyer. -r- • ■ ■ Mrs. Bauer pointed out again I that 4t is especially important -for Decatur to fill its quota since - the Fort Wayne regional blood • bank has had its supply of blood r depleted by the holiday emergencies.

Five Cents

Expects Budget Balance To Pave Way To Tax Cut Says Budget Must * Be Balanced For Any Tax Reduction WASHINGTON (INS) — Presi-' dent Eisenhower declared today that the nation “is at an unparalleled level of prosperity” and that he expects a balanced budget to clear the way for relief from “burdensome" taxes. But the Chief Executive asserted in his state of the union message . that a tax cut can be “justifiable” only when it will not put the government in the red. He said that excise and corporate income taxes, now due to fall April 1, must be continued “without any reduction" for another year. Mr. Eisenhower said the actions of the Soviet leaders since last summer's Geneva meeting of the Big Four heads of state have conclusively” that the Communist rulers “are not yet willlnlTTip create the indispensable conditions for a secure and lasting peace.” ' » He told congress that "Communist tactics against the free nations have shiCtedJn emyhasis from reliance* on violence and the threat df violence to reliance on division, enticement and duplicity.” must be well prepared to meet the The President declared: “We must be well prepared to meet the ■ current tactics which pose a dangerous though less obvious threat.” He called for a “dynamic, yet flexible" policy to “meet each shift and change on the Communist frbntV’ Because of the President's absence at Key West, Fla., where he is completing convalescence from his Sept. 24 heart attack, his message was read separately to the Senate and the House. At, Key West, Mr. Eisenhower arranged to read portions of the message for -television cameras so that the impact of his report could be felt by the nation almost as fully as if he had delivered ft in person to a joint session of congress as he has done in the past. The President outlined his elec-tion-year program in five broad categories, without giving any indication, direct or Indirect, as to whether he plans to seek a second term. The five fields covered in the state of the union mesage were: 1. “The discharge of our wwld responsibility.” 2. “The constant improvement of our national security.” 3. “Fiscal integrity.” 4. “To foster a strong economy.” 5. "The response to human concerns.” Mr. Eisenhower cited these top problems on the domestic front: Agriculture — “Our farm people are not sharing as they should in the general prosperity.” (Resources Conservation "T wish to reemphasize the critical importance of the wise use and conservation of onr great natural resources of land, forests, minerals and water, and their long-range development consistent with our agricultural policy." Disaster Assistance —"Disaster assistance legislation requires overhauling and an experimental program of flood-damage indemnities should be undertaken." Area Redevelopment —“We must help deal with the pockets of chronic unemployment that here and there mar the nation’s general industrial prosperity.”# Highway Legislation —“Legisla-" tion to provide a modern, interstate highway system is .even more urgent this year than last, for 12 months have now passed in which i we have fallen further behind in road construction needed for the i personal safety, 1 the 1 general prosi pertty, tM national security of the r : American people" But, the President cautioned, (Cantlnuen On Page Five)