Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 55, Number 264, Decatur, Adams County, 8 November 1957 — Page 1

* Vol. LV. No 264,

KIRKLAND BARN BURNS

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FIKE WAS DISCOVERED In the Carl Hamilton barn, south of Peterson, at 2:15 p. m. Thursday afternoon, but the barn and its contems were a total loss before the Preble fire department reached the scene. Besides the barn, which was partly covered by insurance, enough lumber to build a three-room house burned, and two pieces of machinery belonging to Edward Dick were dlstroyed. The farm is owned by Mrs. Ida Stepler of Decatur. »A car parked beside the bam was scorched before it ,was moved. Firemen were able to prevent damage to the nearby house and another barn on the property.—(Photo by Ginter)

Ike Appoints Czar To Push. Missile Plans Eisenhower Speaks 1 To Nation Thursday Night On Programs WASHINGTON (UP) — The United States today launched a multi-billion dollar crash program under a scientific "czar” to overtake any Russian lead in missiles or technology. President Eisenhower announced Thursday night that Dr. James R. Killian, president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will head-the drive. He ordered Killian to proceed with the “utmost possible speed." Sen. Styles Bridges (R-N.H). after a breakfast meeting with the President today, told reporters that next year's defense budget may be increased one or two billion dollars to pay for the "accelerated" missile-satellite program. The White House announced that Killian probably will take office in about a week. He went to work immediately, however on the job of marshalling what he called "the best scientific and engineering talent” available. “Very Top Priority” Bridges, chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee and ranking Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee, warned that the stepped-up scientific drive made "more dubious” any chances of a tax cut next year. He rejected a suggestion that the new program would add an extra five billion dollars to the defense budget. He said he believed the defense budget would be increased “one billion to two billion —around that figure.” — "Die President, Bridges said, has assigned the missile-satellite program the "very top priority now in the whole defense set-up." Bridges said Congress would appropriate all the money necessary. 500 Telegrams in 2 Hours — The reaction to the President’s speech and action was varied. Democrats said he has acted too late But Republicans said he was doing everything that should be done to meet the Russian challenge. * The White House said it received in the first two hours of business this morning more than 500 telegrams “reflecting whole-hearted J support” of Eisenhower’s speech and scientific program. In a “lay-the-facts-before-you” address on radio and television, the Chief Executive conceded “the Soviets are quite likely ahead in some missile and special areas, and are obviously ahead of us in satellite development." But he said that “it is my conviction, supported by trusted scientific and military advisers that . . .as of today the overall military strength of the Free World is distinctly greater than that of the Communist countries.” He then announced a five-point "program of action,” topped by the naming of a special assistant on science and technology, to wipe out any "temporary’’ edge Russia may enjoy with its space satelltes and rocket advances. And, in a progress report on U.S. developments, he officially confirmed that: Solved Major Obstacle -U.S- scientists have "solved” one of the major obstacles to perfecting an intercontinental ballistic missile — the problem of how to get the missile back to earth once it has soared into space without having it burn up from friction on re-entering' the atmosphere. —The Air Force Snark, a subsonic, jet-propelled pilotless bomb(ContinuM on Page Four)

DECATUR DALIA DEMOCRAT

Local Lady Enrolled As Red Cross Nurse Mary Jane Miller Is Awarded Badge Mrs. Mary Jane Miller, R.N., was enrolled as a Red Cross nurse and was awarded a badge and card from the national director of the Red Cross nursing service, during the regular meeting of the Red Cross county board Thursday night at the Decatur Red Cross office. Mrs. Miller completed a course in teaching home nursing this fall, and an additional course in disaster training. Announcement was made at the meeting of the resignation of the Rev. Gordon Neuenschwander, of Berne, as chairman of the blood program in that city. Rev. Neuenschwander has been assistant pastor of the First Mennonite church there, and has been asked to serve as pastor until a successor, for the Rev. Olin Krehbiel is selected by the congregation. Earl Webb, superintendent of schools in Berne, is helping the Red Cross find a successor as blood program chair- ; man. Mrs. Ed Bauer, county blood program chairman, announced that the next bloodmobile visit to Decatur would be December 6. The large number of people suffering from colds and flu has cut down the number of pints of blood collected, and has led to a situation approaching emergency rations. In that case, only hospitals needing blood right away could obtain it, and there would be none on hand. A total of 119 persons in the county have completed giving one gallon of blood, 13 have' given two gallons, and one has given three gallons, on the blood program roll of honor. At Decatur the bloodnoobile collected 107 pints in August, and 78 at Berne in October. Wilbur Petrie, first vice president, presided at the meeting, as Earl Fuhrman was out of town on business. Mrs. Earl Fuhrman gave a home service report, showing that 47 persons had been aided in the past three months through the Red Cross home service committee. The junior Red Cross has started activity again, and a new bicycle safety film, made by Walt Disney, will be taken to all the county schools. Mrs. Roscoe Glendening reported that 163 volunteers gave 1.055 hours of voluntary service to the Red Cross in all its programs in Adams county during the JulySeptember quarter. Next Tuesday, a home nursing course will be organized at the Decatur high school home economics room at 7:30 p.m. It will meet twice weekly for three weeks or 14 hours of instruction. All women interested are asked to attend the first meeting. Leo N. Seltenright, Adams county agricultural agent, has agreed to head the campaign drive in the (Continued on Page Five) INDIANA WEATHER Strong northwesterly winds and much colder this afternoon and tonight, with snow flurries over most of state tonight and in northwest portion this afternoon. Much colder Saturday with snow flurries north and east portions and locally heavy snow showers likely near Lake Michigan late tonight and Saturday. Low tonight 27-32 north, 30-35 south. High Saturday in the 30s. Sunset today 5:36 p. m. Sunrise Saturday 7:22 a. m. Outlook for Sunday: Partly cloudy and cold with snow flurries. Lows Saturday night tn the 20s. Highs Sunday in the 30s.

Smith, Peak Sentenced To Prison Terms Attorneys Launch Steps To Appeal In Highway Case INDIANAPOLIS (UP)—Former Indiana highway chairman Virgil (Red) Smith and Milan attorney Robert Peak were septenced. today to 2 to 14 years in prison for being involved in the Hoosier highway scandals. They accepted the sentences in silence. But their attorneys immediately took legal steps to appeal, a move which could keep Smith and Peak out of prison as long as two years. Instead of being handcuffed and jailed pending a trip to Indiana State Prison at Michigan City, both men were freed when they posted additional bonds to pave the way for an appeal. Judge Walter Pritchard passed sentence after overruling a motion by attorneys to arrest judgment. "You’ve heard the finding of the jury,” Pritchard said as Peak and Smith stood before him. "It becomes the duty of the court to impose the penalty.” Follows Jury Order Pritchard, then sentenced each to i to 14 years, levied a $5,000 fine on Smith and a $2,500 fine on fine on Smith and a $2,500 fine on Peak. All terms of the sentence were recommended by a 12-man jury which returned a guilty verdict six days ago, nine hours after it received the evidence Peak and Smith were convicted on charges of conspiring to embezzle $25,800 in public funds in connection with two backlot deals along Madison Ave., site of an Indianapolis expressway now under construction, during the administration of former Gov. George Craig. Two other defendants, Nile Teverbaugh and Harry Doggett, were acquitted. Both face additional charges, as do Smith and Peak. Smith's trial on bribery charges js scheduled to begin Dec. 2. Pritchard asked botk if they had anything to say. Both stood mute. Later, they declined to answer newsmen’s questions. Defense attorneys Frank Symmes and Arflaur Payne, who appeared with tW men in court, told newsmenthe case could drag through courts for a long time. Tinder Asks High Bail Payne said it might be “about a year or 18 months” before the appeal is resolved- Symmes esti-. mated two years as “a possibility." Smith shrugged when newsmen asked him if he thought, he ever would go to prison and if he thought the case wound end in the U.S. Supreme Court. "I don’t know anything about law,” he said. Prosecutor John G. Tinder, whose evidence the jury believed when it convicted the men, asked Pritchard to set bond at $15,000 for each man because in such cases there might be a "strong tendency to flee” if bond was low. Pritchard set bond at $12,500 for (Continued on Page Five) Rev. Ross Minkler Is Rotary Speaker Spiritual Emphasis Pastor Is Speaker The Rev. Ross H. Minkler, minister who is conducting Spiritual Emphasis week services here, was the guest speaker at the weekly dinner meeting of the Decatur Rotary club Thursday evening at the Youth and Community Center. Rev. Minkler spoke to the service club members on the theme, "Need of our world is having an educated heart." The speaker, who is pastor of the Larchmont Church of God at Louisville, Ky., said in part: “We must apply our education not just to making money but to our hearts; giving, not receiving, is the greatest blessing. We need to act on the * right side with God.” The Rev. William C. Feller was chairman of the program. Rotarians, and their ladies, will meet with other service, civic and school organizations next Thursday evening at 6:30 o’clock. Hie dinner meeting at that time will be the highlight of the city's observance of national education week. The banquet, a community project, is also open to the public, in addition to the various organizations. John R. Emens, president of Ball State Teachers College, Muncie, will be the guest speaker. W. Guy Brown, superintendent of the Decatur public schools,is in charge of arrangements for the meeting. *4

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTV

Decatur, Indiana, Friday, November 8,1957.

Tornadoes Lash Three ■:* • > ' States, At Least 11 Are Reported Killed : ——— *—

Democrats Hit ; At Tardiness i In Ike's Plan i Virtually Complete Agreement On Choice* ■ Os Dr. J. R. Killion ■ WASHINGTON (UP) — Demo ’ crats today hit President Eisenhower’s plans to whip the US. missile program into a command- ’ Ing position as too late. But Re- ' publicans said he is doing every--1 thing that should be done to meet J Russia’s space challenge. ! There was virtually complete 1 agreement over whether the Pres- ’ ident had picked the right man to take over command of the nation's scientific effort in Dr. James 1 R. Killian, president of Massachu- ’ setts Institute of Technology. Kil--1 lian has served previously on pres- ' idential defense advisory boards. 1 Former President Harry S. Tru- ' man said Killian was "an excellent choice” for the job. But Truman said the abrupt scientific mobilization would not be necessary for, "with proper leadership, we would be well ahead of Russia 1 today.” Stevenson Praises “Pool" Senate Democratic leader Lyndon B. Johnson said “the basic; ’ issue is whether we can produce 1 1 the weapons that are needed in ' the time that is remaining.’' The Texan, who has ordered a fullscale investigation of the missile ' program, said he was happy tijat Eisenhower had noted a necessity : for “a high sense of urgency ” But he said he had hoped “thePresident would stress what we ■ need to do as well as what we 1 have done.” Adlai Stevenson said, "I'm not clear from his speech whether the President is satisfied with our mil1 itary missile and scientific situation or not...but I’m happy that he 1 is going to try and pool our scien--1 tlfic efforts with our Allies. We need all the brains we have and ' can borrow." Other comment: ; Speaker Sam Rayburn said in Texas that he hoped the President “will see that the programs are carried' out." —- i “I think he should put someone ’ in charge of the programs that will make the conflicting interests in the Pentagon work together,” he said. Republicans Laud Speech" Sen. Jacob K. Javits (R-N.Y) said the President showed himself to be "the Eisenhower of the crui (Continued on Page elffhit) Dr. William Freeby Opens Office Here Will Be Associated With Dr. H. F. Zwick Dr. William Freeby, M.D., who has just completed three years medical service wtih the U. S. Navy, announced today that he will open practice in Decatur in association with Dr. Harold F. Zwick. Dr. Freeby, a graduate of Decatur high school in 1947, graduated from DePauw University and from Indiana University school of medi- ' cine in 1954. Following his graduation from Sedical school, Dr. Freeby internI one year with the U. S. Navy. He then spent six months at U. S. school of aviation medicine, at Pensacola, Fla. He then was ‘ assigned to active medical duty . as flight surgeon with a fleet squadron. He was stationed at , NAS Patuxent River, Md. Dr. Freeby was married to Miss ' Marcia Andrews, of Rockford, . 111., in August of 1951. He and his , wife are now living at 1022 Mer- . cer avenue. Drs. Zwick and Freeby plan to ' construct a new medical building on the lot next to the Ideal Dairy . bar, across the street from their . present office. Work will start be- : fore the first of the year, and the ' new building* should be completed by next summer. A

Nab Bank Bandit, Loot Is Recovered Unemployed Man Is Nabbed After Holdup MARTINSVILLE (UP)-Morgan County authorities today planned tq file bank robbery charges against Adolphus B. Abrams, 49, < an unemployed Indianapolis electrical contractor who was captured by state police 14 minutes after he robbed the Citizens Bank of Mooresville of $4,137 Thursday. Abrams surrendered to troopers John E. Ferguson and Forrest Duncan when they cornered him ■ on a (County road about five miles from Mooresville. Found in his car was a paper bag containing the holdup money and a loaded .25 caliber pistol. Abrams was taken to Indianapolis where bank employes picked him out of an eight-man lineup as the bandit who entered the bank shortly before noon and handed taller Harvey Richer a note which said “Give me the money and nobody gets hurt-” - Richer said the bandit handed him a folded paper sack which jpartly concealed a gun pointed at the teller. "I didn’t say anything, I just began shoveling the money into the bag,” Richer later said. Three other bank employes, William A. Matthews, a cashier; Edward W. Fields, bank vice-presi-dent, and another teller were unaware of the robbery until Abratnn ran out to Ms'car and Richer yelled: "We’ve been robbed.” Metthws ran out to the street and shouted to Cart Eggers, 16, “get his license number.” ‘ ’ Eggers was credited by state police for supplying the license number and a description of the bandit’s car. Abrams was clad in a dark jacket, wore sun glasses and a green baseball cap when he staged the robbery. He later told authorities he was in "financial trouble” and couldn’t “make ends meet.” Abrams, father of an infant child, said he was Laaly in debt and needed monty to pay his rent, police said. Spiritual Emphasis Week Closes Sunday Service Tonight To Be Held Earlier “The Lost Guide” was the theme of the Rev. Ross H. Minkler in his message at the fifth Spiritual Emhasis week service Thursday evening at the Zion Evangelical and Reformed church. The speaker suggested that it was tragic whan a pastor, a parent, a Sunday school teacher or a Christian worker is able to point someone to Christ and yet not have that experience himself. He likened it to a man who is able to give travellers the directions to the Grand Canyon and yet has not enjoyed the beauty of that scene because he has never been over the same road himself. It is very possible for a person to lead a person to a knowledge of Christ and yet never have that same knowledge of Christ in his heart. Rev. Minkler closed with an appeal to everyone present “to search his heart and be sure he knew Christ and what it meant to live in fellowship with Him.” The Rev. Benjamin Thomas was the presiding minister at last night’s service. The Rev. J. O. Penrod read the scripture and the Rev. Harold Bond led in prayer. The Presbyterian church choir, under the direction of Mrs. J. Clark Mayclin, brought special music. Darrell Gerig led the song service. „ The Friday evening service will begin at 7 o’clock and will close at approximately 8 o’clock so that those attending may attend the high school open house. Rev. Minkler will again be speaking. The Rev. Traverse Chandler will preside. Rev. Penrod will read the scripture and Rev. Lawrence Norris will have the evening prayer. The special music will be the (Continued on Pace (Five)

House Probers Ask Answer To Science Waste l Hearings In Public Fail Os Satisfactory Answer To Question ' WASHINGTON (UP)—House inj V'estigators went to the Pentagon t today to try to get a private anl swer to a question they have been , asking publicly all week—has mis- . sile development been hurt by , any waste of scientific talent? ■ Chairman James C. Davis (Dr Ga) of the House Manpower Sub- , committee said four days of public hearings on the question have not ' produced a satisfactory answer yet. Rep. H. R. Gross (Iowa), the subcommittee’s ranking Republican, agreed. Gross said he was “slowly running out of patience” with Pentagon officials. Davis arranged for the subcommittee to receive a private briefing today with William M. Holaday, Defense Department missile boss, or Dr. Paul Foote, the department's research and engineering chief, or both. ! Foote told . the subcommittee Thursday the United States is behind Russia in its missile work and “it is going to be hard to eatch up.” --S" He denied that rivalry between the armed services was responsible. In fact, he said competition between the Army, Navy and Air Force in missile work speeded up ( the program . Foote told reporters later he be- . lives the United States will have pulled ahead of Russia in the mis- : sile race a year from now. L He said the Russians could 1 launch a man-carrying satellite at any time—though he did not know i whether they could get the man ■ back. And he said the United , States could shoot up a mani carrying satellite in “several [ months." Subcommittee members voiced the opinion that the armed services have not been making the best use of their scientific-engi-neering manpower. Davis said such manpower could be utilized more effectively by eliminating “unnecessary adminis(Cnnti.iued on Page F1v«) Father Os Decatur Lady Dies Suddenly William Spindler Is Taken By Death William W. Spindler, 74, died unexpectedly at 4:15 o’clock Thursday afternoon at his home In Milan township, Allen county, following a heart attack. He was a retired farmer and also had taught school in Milan township for 13 years. He had resided in the township practically his entire life. Surviving are his wife, Amy E.; one. son, Douglas Spindler of Harlan: three daughters, Mrs. Everett Hutker of Decatur, and Mrs. Robert Harris and Mrs. Richard Harris, both of Harland; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren, and two sisters, Mrs. Kate Roberts and Mrs. Jennie Werts, both of Milan township. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Getting funeral home in Harlan, with Edward Shanz in charge. Burial will be in Harlan memorial cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 o’clock this evening until time of the services. Red Cross Office To Be Closed On Monday The Red Cross office will be closed Monday fofr Veteran’s day, Mrs. Wanda Oelberg, executive manager, announced today. The .bank, post office, all federal offices, and the city and county offices will be closed also. The Decatur public library will remain open.

Employment Boost Lower Than Usual Total Employment Is Now 66 Million WASHINGTON (UP) — Total U.S. employment climbed by 300,000 to 66 million persons last month, the government reported today. A joint Commerce and Labor Department statement said, however, that the pick-up was not as - great as usual for this time of the 1 year. • The rise was attributed to an 1 Increase in the number of farm ■ workers over September, when ’ bad weather caused a large decline in employment figures. Non-farm employment, which ' normally shows an increase in ' October, dropped off 50,000 to 59,- ; 100,000 Factory jobs dropped by 100,000 to 16,800,000, continuing a downward trend that began this year. The figure at the end of October was more than 470,000 below the same date last year. Total unemployment in October was 2,500,000 — practically un-changed-even though seasonally the figure should decline, the statement said. The rate of unemployment for all workers after making seasonal adjustments rose to 4.6 per cent, an increase of .3 of 1 per cent over the month. . Short-term illness—probably including Aslan flu—cut into the number of man-hours worked in October. About 1,300,000 ,persons ’ were absent from their jobs dur--1 tag the month, about a half million more than usual for thlstimeof * more than usual for this time of year. In addition, about 1,400,000 full- ! time employes worked less than ' 35 hours because of sickness, more than doutk die total for October, 1 1956. r ! Death Case Taken i Under Advisement Policeman's Status Under Advisement The matter of disciplinary action against Dale Death, Decatur police officer, was taken under advisement by the board of public works and safety following a hearing on the charges against Death Thursday afteroon at city hall. Death, who appeared at the hearing in person and with his counsel, attorney Robert S. Anderson, is charged with conduct unbecoming an officer, being absent from duty without leave and with being convicted of a criminal offense. These charges are the result of his conviction in city court last Saturday on a charge of public intoxication. The board, after hearing testimony by police chief James Borders and police officer Raymond W. Seitz and a statement by Anderson, announced that a ruling would be made Tuesday at 8:30 a. m. in the city council room. Death is under temporary suspension from the force until that time. Both Seitz and Borders testified concerning the events leading to the arrest of officer Death Friday night following an accident on North Second street in front of the Standard Food Market. Chief Borders, in answer to a question by city attorney John L. De Voss, augmented the factual testimony by stating his opinion that Death could be “as good as, if not better, an officer in the future as a result of the recent events.” He pointed out that during the 10 years that Death has worked under him, he has been a good officer and that he is capable of continuing to be a good officer and df being an asset to the department. Borders emphasized that Death has been honest and straightforward and most cooperative throughout the entire situation and that he has displayed a genuine concern that his actions would (Continued on. Pa*e elrht)

Six Cent

Mississippi, Louisiana And Texas Lashed Cold Front Smacks Into Warm Southern Air, Starts Storms By UNITED PRESS A cold front smacked into warm southern air today and touched off tornadoes that whiplashed three states, killing at least 11 persons. ’ This was the casualty count: Alexandria, La., 3; Lafayette, La., 2; Boyce, La., 1; Grove, Tex., 2; Orange, Tex., 1; Cruger, Miss., 2. A number of persons were injured in the three states. Tornado alerts were issued for parts of Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina and small eraft warnings were flying from Tama, Fla., north to St. Marks. The Weather Bureau said the turbulant weather was caused by the onrush of a cold front which was expected to plunge temperatures to the jow 30s by Saturday as far south as middle Georgia. Atlanta wak lashed by 30 miles an hour winds but no serious damage was reported there. Two persons were killed three miles south of Cruger, Miss., in Holmes County, Thursday night when a twister demolished their home. The victims were identified as Mr. and Mrs. John waiter Parker whose bodies were found outside their shattered dwelling. A twister early today crashed through a heavily populated farm community 15 miles northwest of Lafayette, La., and the state police said two persons were killed. They said 13 persons were rushed to a hospital in Lafayette, 75 miles south of Alexandria, with serious injuries. Seven or eight houses were demolished. Hardest hit appeared to be Alexandria, where at least three persons were killed, and Groves, Tex., four miles from Port Arthur. Two persons were killed there, another died at Orange, Tex., 16 miles northeast of Port Arthur. The state police said one person was killed at Boyce, La., near Alexandria. . At Alexandria, Rapides Parish Deputy Sheriff James Fetter said the death toll “won’t be known until Search crews start in at daylight searching for more bodies.” Feffer said he expects the count to rise. The tornadoes struck long past their normal season. They approached under cover of torrential rain and left hundreds in jured. Damage was expected to mount into the millions. At Groves, 11 persons were reported critically injured and 42 hospitalized with mlrior injuries. A nurse at a Port Arthur hospital, to which most of the Groves casualties were rushed, said at least a hundred persons were treated for minor injuries and released. In Alexandria, 14 persons were in two smaller hospitals while attendants at the largest hospital in the city of 30,000 were too busy treating injured to make even a remote estimate of tornado casualties there. Other tornadoes struck and caused damage at Nome, Port Avres, and China, all near Port Arthur in southeast Texas, and at- Torras in southwest Louisiana. The twisters also struck .lota, Bossier Parish, -Leesville and Grand Prairie in central Louisiana. At Orange about 100 homes were damaged or destroyed and at Groves, about 50 homes were smashed and many others damaged. Nine warships in the Navy's “mothball fleet” anchored in a channel of the Sabine River at Orange were set free by the twister and started drifting away. Navy crews were after them. Rapides Coounty Sheriff Grady Kelley said as many as 150 to 175 homes in Alexandria may be destroyed. <