Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 55, Number 31, Decatur, Adams County, 6 February 1957 — Page 1

Vol. LV. No. 31.

CHARGED AS RUSS SPY I •’? • Aii * A .

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JACK 80BLE, 53, and hi* Russian born wife. Myra, appear in New York Federal court where they were indicted on six counts of spying tor Russia. Named as U. S. ringleader of a spy system, Soble, his wife and their close friend, Jacob Alban, were charged with conspiracy to steal vital secrets and pass them on to the Soviet Union.

City Utilities Reveal Profit Boost In 1956

The Decatur light and power department showed a net profit of $31,727.70 during the year 1956. and the city water department reported a net profit of $28,362.64 for 1956, according to financial statements filed Tuesday night with the city council. ’ The 1996 power department prof* ft i* all.f percent increase over 1955 while the water utility profit represents a big 49.1 percent increase over the previous year. Power Department The balance sheet for the light and power department, presented by L. E. Pettibone, department superintendent, shows assets totalling $4,291,666.27. These include utility plant in service, $3,830,894.77; sinking fund. $29,081.53; depreciation fund. $228,213.97, and current and accrued assets, $203,476, Liabilities and other credits include the long'term debt with outstanding bonds totalling $758,000: current and accrued liabilities, $28,236.51; reserves, $1,133,101.50; contributions m aid of construction. $17,037.53, and surplus. $2,355,300.73, for a total of $4,291,666.27. • Operating revenues for the department totalled $749,945.51 and operating revenue deductions were $693,634.35 to give an operating income total of $56,311.16. Other income to the department, including revenues from sinking and other funds and miscellaneous income amounted to $3,017.68. Other deductions of $17,212.50 for interest on the long-tym debt and $lO,388.64 for donated street and highway lighting totalled $27,601.14 tn give the department a net profit of 831,727.70. The breakdown of operating revenues shows $169,525.23 in residence sales. $151,658.70 in rural sales, 8110.605.35 in commercial light, $266,034.03 in commercial and industrial power, $10,388,454 in public street and highway lighting $23,038.98 in sales to other electric utilities, 816,821.71 in interdepartmental sales and $1,872.87 in customers' penalties. The total is a 7.4 percent increase over the previous year. Operating revenue deductions, 8.7 percent higher than 1955, included steam expenses, $303,429.99; diesel expense, $161,343.23distribution expense. $69,793.20: accounting and collecting expense. $10,996.50; sales expense, $132.97: administrative and general expense. $25,428.54; depreciation, ... $115,119.79, and taxes, $7,390.13. The statistical report of the department shows a total of 42.219.000 K.W.H. generated during 1956, a 5.5 percent increase over the previous year. The total includes 30,K 126,000 steam generated and 12,093 000 diesel generated. Tb' produce the power at the (Coatlnaed ox Pare Five) INDIANA WEATHER Ckrady with occasional fight ' rain or drinle tonight and Thursday. Considerable fog tonight. Warmer northeast portion tonight. Low tonight 30-35 north, 35-39 south. High Thursday 38-44 north, 43-49 south. Sunset 6:11 p. a., sunrise Thursday 7:47 a. m.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

W ..I TJ 1.1... ' I _ _ J■ IT > Krueckeberg Head • Os Advanced Gifts Named Chairman In t Red Cross Campaign k Carl Braun, general chairman of the Adams county Red Cross fund drive which begins officially on I March 1, announced today the ap--1 pointment of Herman H. Kruecke- • berg as advanced gifts chairman ? for the drive. • Krueckeberg will send out letters • in the near future to leading local ’ businessmen and residents request--1 ing advance donations to the Red Cross fund. Last year, in honor of the Red - Cross 75th year, several pfflWons : donated $75, which helped consid- , erably in reaching the county goal. ; Fund drive chairmen this year - hope to receive several similar . donations tc help the 1957 cam- - paign. The drive will extend through- - out the month of March in all’sec--1 tions of Adams county. Other ass sistant chairmen will be announc- - ed in the near future. A goal of $11,176 has been set t for the 1957 campaign. This amount r is needed to finance local Red ? Cross projects and to meet the - local chapter’s quota for national t Red Cross activities. The 1957 quota is higher than (('ontinned on Pax* Five) V 1 1 Decatur Retailers ; Meet Tuesday Night Retailers Discuss Year's Activities A meeting of the retail division ■ of the Decatur Chamber of Com--1 merce, held Tuesday evening at ■ the Decatur Youth and Community Center, was attended by rep- - resentatives of 28 retail establish- ' ments. Robert Lane, president of the retail division, gave a report on - the agenda that was mailed to all members last month. A majority of those returning the forms fav- ' ored the following events for this year: two dollar days; three em-ployer-employe dinner meetings; ■ a home show; the annual fish fry; 1 a soybean festival; callithumpian 1 parade; free rides for the children ■ during the three days of teach- ’ er’s institute, and the annual Christmas opening program. A promotion committee will be ! appointed by Lane to estimate a budget necessary to stage these events and the financing of the program will be determined at the next meeting. Questionnaires concerning store hours were filled out by those in attendance and a study of these wifi be reported at a future meeting of the retail divisioin. The date and place of the next monthly meeting of the retail division will be announced later.

Graduated Net Income Tax In State Proposed Democrats Propose Graduated Tax On Hoosiers' Incomes INDIANAPOLIS (UP) — Minority Democrats in the Indiana Legislature today proposed a graduated net income tax which would be easier on the low income earner and the man with a big family, as a means of solving the state's financial headache. But they admitted the recommendation for revising the tax structure to bolster revenues ne. eded -in the face of rising governmental costs didn’t have a chance of becoming law. "We know that it won’t be adopted,” said Sen. Matthew Welsh of Vincennes, minority floor leader. "But we felt that we couldn’t raise heck unless we had some constructive alternative to offer.” Welsh said Tuesday the Democrats would fight Republican majority tax proposal*, whatever they may be, if they didn’t do justice to the “small” taxpayer. Would Give S6OO Exemptions The Democrats proposed to introduce a bill in the House, probably Friday, calling for a “graduated surtax” with a withholding feature, aimed at placing the iest burden percentagewise on the man who makes the most money. It would provide S6OO exemptions for dependents, as in the federal income tax structure. Persons making SIO,OOO a year or less would pay 2 per cent after exemptions. An extra SIO,OOO income would be taxed at 3 per cent and all above $30,000 at 5 per cent. Marshall F. Fixer. Plymouth, who was drawing up the bill after it was approved by Democratic members of both House and Senate, said it means a single person making $5,000 who now pays S4O in gross income taxes would pay SBB under the plan, and a married person with two children now paying S4O would pay $52. »■-- — Kizer estimated the plan wiould raise an extra 40 million dollars a year for a total annual yield of 165 million dollars. He believed it would balance the budget and bring in all needed revenue. Split On Labor Issue Republicans have not yet settled on a revised tax structure but have been studying a sales tax, gross income surtax and other proposals. Meanwhile, two crucial committees were split down the middle on passage of bitterly-fought “right to work” bills. Battle lines hardened as the Senate Labor Committee scheduled an afternoon public hearing on the issue today. The House Labor Committee planned the same thing for Thursday night. Fotir members of the 9-man Senate committee told United Press they favored “right to work.” Five were against. Thirteen of the 15-man House committee were polled privately. Five were “pro," five “con” and three claimed indecision. Action of the two committees will determine if similar House and Senate bills will be brought out for floor tests. Leaders of the “right to work” (Coatlxued ox Page Five) Ask Civil Defense Mobile Radio Unit Ask City Council Appropriate Fund Three local amateur radio operators, representing the local communications division of civil defense, appeared before the city council Tuesday night to request the aappropria tions of funds for the purchase of a civil defense mobile radio unit. The three were Gerald Cole, David Langston and Richard Gilpen, wno are among the local radio “hams” who have been actively interested In the civil defense communications project for the pass several yeaag. '" They told the council that a new federal program has been set up for the communications system in order to establish a reliable communications group which could be relied on in case of a national disaster. Under this system, all radio operators not aaccredited by the federal government would be ordered off the air in the event of such a disaster.„ They pointed out that the county council has already appropriat money for one unit. This unit was displayed at last night’s meeting. The group stated that the county group has indicated a willingness to consider the purchase of an-' (Continued on Page Four)

ONLY DAILY NBWBFAMIN IN ADAMS CPU NTT

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday, February 6, 1957

" ——v. Eisenhower Plans For Controls If Inflation Grows Out Os Bounds

Two Killed In Explosions In Heart Os Reno Five Big Buildings In Reno, Nevada, Destroyed Tuesday RENO, Nev. (UP) — Firemen shot high-pressure jets of water today into the smoking rubble of what had once been a prosperous street in the heart of Reno—until leaking gas destroyed it in ; three fiery blasts. A series of three explosions and . the ensuing fire Tuesday killed two persons and injured 42 others. ’ At least five big buildings were . destroyed and a score of others . were damaged in varying degrees. The dead were identified as Mrs. John DuPratt, 60, of Reno, and J frank Spina, 48, owner of a shoe ' factory that was gutted in the blast. Spina apparently was blown clear across the street and under a parked car by the force of the ■ explosion. Victims In Street* City officials estimated the dam- “ age at $3 million. ’ Reno's famed gambling casinos ' remained open for business during I the holocaust. One witness, Mar- ' garet Jones, an airline stewardess, said patrons in the Riverside HoI tel “were still gambling and didn’t j seem concerned ht adL”I But a block away across the ( river was a fearful scene. Flames [ spouted from the windows and roofs of buildings, broken glass littered the street and scores of men and women lay in the streets. t Many screamed in fright or agony —or both. After it was all over, firemen were thankful that the toll of dead was not worse. The odor of -escaping gas had served to warn 1 many persons away from the ' area. Scores of persons evacuated several buildings moments before the accident. Guardsmen Stand By Firemen were unable to search the rubble immediately for more bodies. Early today, it was still (Continned on Pnxe Five) Annual Elks Cancer Party February 23 Hold Annual Party At K. Os C. Hall Plans for the annual Elks cancer party were announced today by Carl A. Braun, geheral chairman of the event. The party will be held Saturday, Feb. 23, at the K. of C. hall, beginning at 7 p. m. Braun stated that entertainment would begin at 7 p. m., games and awarding of prizes are scheduled for 8:30 to 9:30 p. m. and the evening will conclude with dancing from 9:30 p. m. to 12:30 a. m. Music for dancing will be pre- . sented by the Keynoters through the cooperation of the American Federation of Musicians Local 607. Braun has appointed Walter Gilliom to serve as ticket chairman . for the party. The regular Febru- , ary entertainment committee of the Elks lodge will assist with arrangements. Tickets may be obtained for a donation of $1 to the Elks cancer . fund. The ticket will entitle the holder to the entire evening of activities. Places where tickets may be obtained will be announced later. All proceeds from this party will be added to the state Elks fund for cancer research. This is the 10th year of the cancer parties in Indiana. During the past nine years a total of $463,000 has been donated to cancer research projects by the Indiana Elks association. Os this amount, $265,000 paid for scholarships at Indiana University, and $72,000 went f<Jf scholarships at Purdue University. The Elks also use the fund to sponsor a billboard and poster service as a public education project to inform the public about cancer. ,

City's Aid Request Certified By State Federal Aid Sought On Sewage Disposal Decatur’s request for federal aid in building its $1 million sewage disposal unit was certified Tuesday by the Indiana stream pollution control board to the U. S. pubitc health service. Decatur’s requesfr*was one of 12 accepted from 21 requested. Priorities based on financial and pollution abatement needs were granted to Alexandria, Fairmount, Eremont, Galveston. Huntingburg, Jonesboro, LaGrange. Monon, Morristown, Tipton, and Winchester, as well as Decatur. A federal allocation of $1,027,400 is available in Indiana this year for distribution to the 12 selected cities. Decatur requested $250,000 ,in aid, almost one-quarter of the money available. Under federal law, Decatur may receive tip to 30% of the cost of the sewage treatment plant, or $250,000, whichever is less. If the connecting sewers are not included in the cost of the project. Decatur may receive up to $158,700. A federal agency will decide what the cost of the project is, according to the law passed by congress. If the sewer is included in the cost, then Decatur may receive up to $250,000. ’ r There were eight needs totaling 10 points under the stream pollutien board’s grading system for pollution abatement needs which eliminated nine of the 21 applying cities. Decatur had been expected to score at least six points. The financial need was based on the 1950 census report on the median income of families and unrelated individuals. Decatur was not expected to fare as well on this comparison, because of its relatively high economic position. The stream pollution board also issued an order to the town of New Haven to abate pollution of Martin ditch and Trier ditch by August 15, 1958. It approved engineering reports (C'oxtlxued on Pane Five) Subdivision Plat Filed With Council Plat Referred To Plan Commission The dedication and plat for the Highland Park‘subdivision B were filed with the .city council at the regular meeting Tuesday night and were referred to the city plan commission. The proposed new subdivision to the city of Decatur is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Anthony J. Faurote, represented by attorney Robert Anderson. The subdivision just south of the citiy limits between Mercer avenue and High street. The council also acceptetd the resignation of Ralph Roop as a member of the city planning commission. Roop was several days ago named executive secretary for that board. The appointment of Clyde Drake to serve oh the board for Roop’s unexpired term, which extends to December, 1959, was approved. An ordinance approving the contract between the city and Saylors Chevrolet Sales for the purchase of a 1957 model two-door car with standard equipment was adopted. The terms of the ordinance, submitted by the city board of public works and safety, specify that the company shall deliver the car cn payment of the net price of $1,112 with the city’s 1955 model car as trade-in. Also adopted by the council Tuesday night was an ordinance approving a contract between the city and Bingen Telephone Co. entered into Dec. 1, 1956. Under the terms of the contract the telephone company is permitted to use utility poles owned by the city. Agreements between the city and Alvin R. Krueckeberg and Joseph Bleeke for rural power line were approved by the council. ’ "

U.S. Steps Up Drive To Win Arab Support Third Arab Leader Visits Eisenhower Within Past Week WASHINGTON (UP)—The United States today stepped up its fast-moving drive to win new Arab support and understanding for President Eisenhower's plan to protect the Middle East from Communism. The President was scheduled to confer on the plan this morning with the third Arab leader to visit him within a week—Foreign Minister Charles Malik of Lebanon. Mr. Eisenhpwer already has won endorsements in principle of his plan from the two other Arabian officials visiting in Washington — King Saud of Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Abdul Illah of Iraq. Those two leaders, who do not always see eye to eye, planned an important meeting of their own late today at the Presidents guest house across the street from the White House. Approved By House Malik, generally regarded as pro-Western, endorsed the “EisenliOwvr xJUCtffititr tjvint: tixitc txgv ; but wanted to get more details on . the pr»posal. from ihg President , and to discuss Middle East prob- . lems with him. , Under the doctrine, now before Congress, the President would be authorized to use U.S. military ' forces, if necessary, to halt overt Communist aggression in the Middle East and to grant military and economic aid to the area. The House already has approved the plan. It now is being considered by the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees. The two committees called a group of diplomats who are serving or have served in the Middle East for questioning at a closeddoor hearing today. They included George Wadsworth, U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia: Joseph C. Green, former ambassador to Lebanon; and Henry T. Byroade, ambassador to South Africa and former envoy to Egypt. Historic Importance Seen Diplomats regard today’s SaudIllah conference as having historic importance. Their nations have (Coxtlaae* •* Paxe Five) Mrs. Minnie Black Dies Last Evening Decatur Lady Dies After Long Illness Mrs. Minnie G. Black, 76, of 358 South Third street, widow of the late Samuel E. Black, Decatur mortician, died at 7:30 o'clock Tuesday evening at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Clarence L. Weber. She had been in failing health for* two years and in a serious condition for the past four weeks. Born in Hancock county, 0., July 1, 1880, she was a daughter of Frank and Lena DeArrrtond- i Waltsrmire, and was married to Samuel E. Black April 30, 1896. . Mr. and Mrs. Black came to De- , catur from Portland in 1916, following their purchase of the Murray J. Scherer funeral home. Mr. Black died in 1940. Mrs.' Black was a member of the Bethany Evangelical United Brethren church. Surviving are two daughters, , Mrs. Clarence L. Weber and MrsBernard Keller,, both of Decatur; j six grandchildren; eight great- , grandchildren, and a brother, Dr. D. D. Waitermire of Fostoria, Q. ( One daughter preceded her in j death. . Funeral services will be con- , ducted at 2 p. m. Friday at the , Black funeral home, the Rev, Benj. G. Thomas officiating. Bur- . ial will be in the Decatur ceme- , tery. Friends may call at the , funeral home after 2 o’clock | Thursday afternoon until time of ( th<4 services.

Lincoln Speaker r . i J}

Judge Donald H. Hunter, of the LaGrange circuit court, will be the speaker at the Lincoln day meeting of the Adams county Republican central committee in this city Friday at 6:30 p. m., according to an announcement today by Harry Essex, county chairman. He has been judge of the LaGrange court since 1948, and will deliver the Lincoln day address before the joint session of the Indiana general assembly next Tuesday; Feb. 12.

Heart Fund Drive Underway In City Mail Donations To Local Postmaster Contributions to the 1957 Heart Fund campaign now underway throughout the nation, may be mailed to the local postmaster, according to an announcement by Mrs. R. C. Hersh, local fund drive chairman. The post office deparftment is again assisting the Indiana heart association in making it simple for residents of this area to contribute to the annual heart fund drive. All local contributions may be sent to HEART, care of the local postmaster, Leo Kirsch. The drive, which supports the nationwide fight against the heart and blood vessel diseases, will be conducted throughout the month of February. Contributions received by the postmaster will be credited to the town indicated by the post mark, according to Mrs. Hersh. “The Indiana heart association is grateful to the postal depart- , ment for handling this kind of mail again this year,” Mrs. Hersh ; stated. “It is a most valuable • service to the heart fund and the community, making it possible for : those who have not been reached by collectors to support the drive : with the least possible inconven- i ience.” In addition to postmaster I Kirsch, contributions may also be ’ mailed directly to Mrs. Hersh at ' 344 South First street. Mayor Robert Cole ot this city 1 today issued a proclamation declaring the month of February as ; heart month in the city of Deca- ' tur and urging all local citizens ' to support the fund drive. The proclamation reads as follows: “Whereas the heart and circulatory diseases account for more deaths each year in this commun- , ity and throughout the United J States than all other causes of , death combined; j “Whereas one among, each 16 , Americans suffers from some j form pt these diseases, and 500,000 1 childreh are among the victims; "Whereas the heart and circulatory diseases cause widespread 1 human suffering and are a ser- s icus drain on the financial stabil- < ity of the home, and a large eco- 1 nomic loss to local industry and 1 the community at large; “Whereas the underlying causes of the three ailments responsible for 90 percent of all heart disease —hardening of the arteries, high _ blood pressure and rheumatic fever—are still undiscovered; "Whereas a mass assault against the heart and circulatory diseases requires Increased medical resiearch to solve these serious health problems, professional education programs to inform phyai«3onanu*a oa Pace Four)

Six Cents

---- - r-- n Says Controls j Odious But May j. Be Necessary f Opens Conference With Announcement Flemming To Quit WASHINGTON (UP)-President Eisenhower said today that if inflation gets out of hand the government will have to Impose controls which he considers odious. The President made this statement at a news conference in which he also said the United States must step up oil shipments to Europe and that prospects for peace in the Middle East have been improved. If inflationary pressures continue, Mr. Eisenhower said, the United States would have to move in with controls which he finds not only odious but not representative of the present American way of life. Mr. Eisenhower began the conference by announcing the resignation of Defense Mobilizer Arthur S. Flemming. He said he will nominate Assistant Defense Secretary Gordon Gray, former president of the University of North Carolina, as Flemming’s successor. Asked about comparative military strengths of this country and Russia, the President said the United States has developed weap- . ons to the point where it is strong as it ever has been in of peace. Highlights of Conference He conceded that the United States has not reached the stage it would like on long range missiles. But he said short range missile performance is improved. Asked about the possibility of a—- — attack, he almost exploded. Such likelihood grows less every | year, he said, adding that any military adventure today is just another way of committing suicide. Other highlights of the President’s news conference: , 1. He predicted that Israel will withdraw her forces from the Gaza Strip'and the area of the Gulf of Aqaba lying in Egyptian territory in accordance with the resolution of the United Nations. 2. He believes that his conferences with. King Saud of Saudi Arabia have produced progress toward a peaceful and, eventually, united Middle East. Need Civil Righto Bill 3. He said the United States should ship oil to Europe to the fullest capacity of available transportation facilities. He held out the possibility that if this does not take place the federal government may ■ have to step into the situation. 4. He renewed his support of the four point administration civil rights program before Congress. He said there is nothing in it inimical to the rights of any person and that he regards the legislation as very decent and needed. 5. He again voiced strong support for the mandatory six-month basic training ordered for National Guard enlistees beginning April 1. In his opinion, he said, the 11 weeks’ alternative plan proposed by the National Quard Assn, would not answer the defense needs of the nation. , - -ji 6. He said the likelihood of attack by any nation possessing new and powerful weapons of massive destruction on another country diminishes every year. He said that as the understanding of new weapons increases it becomes less likely that the weapons win ever be used. Says Feeh Well 7.. He said vice President Richard M. Nixon is being kept constantly abreast of developments within and out of the government so that in the event that—as the President put it—the grim reaper removes (Coatiaaa< on Pane Five) BULLETIN WASHINGTON W) — T h e House Ways and Means committee today voted another one-yeas extension of present tax rates on corporations, liquor, beer, cigareto and automobiles. ■” . The 12-month extension beAprUlwMjoqpestpd by the administration.