Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 56, Number 282, Decatur, Adams County, 1 December 1958 — Page 1

Vol. LVI. No. 282.

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SANTA CLAUS TRAIN SATURDAY—Chamber of Commerce and Erie railroad officials are shown completing plans for the annual C. of C. Santa Claus train, which will run Saturday. There will be three mns, one in the morning and two in the afternoon, for the youngsters of Decatur and area. The children's tickets, which are free, will be distributed by the Decatur retailers, previously listed, Tuesday. Adult tickets may be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce ofifce. Pictured above are,' seated, left to right—M .W. Bumgerdner, Decatur agent for the Erie; Tom Garner, chairman of the C. C.’s Christmas promotion, and R. E. Townes, Chicago passenger agent for the Erie; standingleft to right, Fred Kolter, executive secretary for the C. of C., and David Moore, chairman of the retail division.

Holiday Death Toll Is Below Usual Weekend Traffic Fatalities In Nation Are Under Ordinary Weekend United Press International The nation’s traffic fatalities in the Thanksgiving Day weekend ran below the toll for an ordinary weekend of the same duration at this time of year, closing figures showed today. A United Press International count showed that between 6 p.m. Wednesday and midnight Sunday, 438 persons died in traffic accidents. Fires took 48 lives, plane accidents took 5, and other accidents killed 111 persons, for a total of 602. California had 32 auto deaths; New York 28; Alabama 24; Pennsylvania 21; Illinois 20; Michigan 19. and Ohio and Virginia 18 each to lead the list of states. Rhode Island, Nevada and Alaska reported no traffic deaths in the holiday period. Bad Weather Helped The National Safety Council, saying that it does not regard the ’thanksgiving holiday as one calling for as much travel as Christmas, New Years, Labor Day and one or two others, issued no advance estimate for Thanksgiving holiday deaths, but noted that in an ordinary 102-hour weekend period at this time of year, about 470 persons would be killed in traffic. The council had no immediate explanation for the traffic total being lower than normal. A spokesman said that almost nationwide bad weather may have kept motorists completely from the roads. In contrast, last Thanksgiving United Press International counted 554 traffic deaths in a similar period. , . One of the holiday’s worst accidents killed five persons, three of them children, in a crash near Mountainburg Ark., Sunday. The victims were crushed when the trailer of a truck overturned on a station wagon in which they rode. Plane Crash Kills Four Four members of a Salt Lake City, Utah, family were killed when their light plane crashed during a landing Saturday night. The plane crashed into a junkyard at Salt Lake City during a fog, and the wreckage was not discovered until Sunday when the owner of the yard spotted the wreckage. Storms during the holiday swept much of the nation, beginning Thursday with a snow and sleet storm which powered out of the Southwest and raced across the Midwest into the East. A near blizzard in die East Sat urday stranded thousands of mo* torists from the Pennsylvania state line to Rochester, N.Y., a distance of about 150 miles. The travelers were rescued by state police and highway workers and housed in nearby buildings. A record cold wave accompanied the severe storms. Readings dropped to a record 27 below zero at International Falls, Minn., Sunday, and below freezing, readings were reported as far south as parts of the Gulf states.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Santa Claus Train Ride Here Saturday Will Distribute Tickets On Tuesday Nearly 3,000 free tickets for the children of Decatur and area for Saturday's Santa Claus train ride to Ohio City and return will be distributed by die 44 participating members of the retail division of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce Tuesday. Trains will leave the Winchester stret Erie depot at 10 a. m., 1:30 p. m. and 4 p. m. It has been suggested that adults pick up their free children tickets from their favorite merchant first and then purchase their own adult tickets at the Chamber of Commerce office. Since all seats on each train will be at a premium. tickets will be valid only on the train whose departure time is printed thereon. The Decatur Welcome Wagon hostesses will assist at the Chamber office Tuesday. A limited number of tickets have been held in reserve this year by Fred Koltre, Chamber Secretary, for exchange purposes so that children of one family or group may go on the same train. Later in the day these tickets will also be made available to participating merchants on a first come, first serve basis. Some merchants already report they have committed all of their original allotments. People who Continued on page five Watchman Assigned To Dayton Crossing Watchman Provided By Pennsy Railroad A watchman was assigned to the railroad crossing at Dayton Avenue today by the Pennsylvania Railroad company, according to N. W. Gunsett, local agent. Local school officials were informed late Saturday that a watchman would be assigned to guard the school children using the railroad crossing. Mayor Robert D. Cole was contacted today by this office of the situation, and he stated that to his knowledge he nor the city council had been informed of the matter. Mayor Cole did state that a letter was received from the railroad officials concerning the proposal given by the railroad company at the last meeting with the city council. The letter stated that an employe would be provided by the railroad during the following hours on school days: 7:45 to 8:45 a.m.; 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.; and 3 to 3:30 p.m. The times listed above are central daylight time anad subject to adjustments to conform with the school program. The letter also stated that the proposal would be effective within seven days on receipt of notice of acceptance by the city council; and if their proposal was not acceptable to the council and other action would be taken, to consider the proposal withdrawn. Good Fellows Club Delta Theta Tau Sorority SIOO.OO Berean class. Baptist church 10.00 Total SIIO.OO

French Voters Back De Gaulle In Tidal Wave French Commynist Party Blitzed In Sunday's Election PARIS (UPD—Premier Charles de Gaulle ruled today as France's undisputed strong man, swept to a pinnacle of power and prestige by a tidal wave of votes in run off elections Sunday for parliament. In doing so the nearly 20 million French voters: —Blitzed and routed the once powerful, Moscow - controlled French Communist Party, turning it into a tiny, impotent group that can no longer sway French parliamentary politics. —Ousted in a mass wave of national contempt the men of the Fourth Republic whom they blamed for dragging France to the brink of civil war. Former premiers and cabinet ministers were dumped in wholesale lots. —Elected a parliament in which De Gaulle was ensured of a crushing majority baced by the rightwing and military elements who raised him to eminence in a near-revoluton last May. Third Confidence Vote This was the third straight massive confidence vote for De Gaulle in two months. He is expected to get an even bigger edge on Dec. 21 when 100,000 “grand electors” meet to name a president with greater powers than modern France has known. De Gaulle is the overwhelming favorite. He received his first landslide victory Sept. 28 when 80 per cent of France voted for his new constitution. His second came a week ago when the first round of parliamentary balloting inflicted the worst defeat on his Communist foes in 20 years. The third straight vote Sunday tore the Communist parliamentary party to shreds and left De Gaulle in the driver’s seat backed by a parliamentary majority such as this nation has seldom seen. The voting began last Sunday to elect 465 deputies in metropolitan France and 10 in the overseas department. Because only 39 candidates won the necessary majority, run off elections were held Sunday with candidates needing only a plurality. Three days of voting in Algeria to elect 71 candidates was expected to swell De Gaulle’s parliamentary strength. Ten more delegates were being elected in ovrseas territories. Given Heave-Ho If die vote was a smashing defeat for the Communists it was a bitter vote of no confidence for the former deputies who snarled French politics from the day the Fourth Republic began after World War 11. Only 146 former deputies were re-elected; 338 were beaten and 58 did not run for reelection. Former Premier Edgar Faure and white goateed Socialist Paul Ramadier were defeated Sunday. Former premiers Pierre MendesFrance and Joseph Laniel were knocked out a week ago. Former Premier Edouard Daladier quit after the first ballot because' his defeat was certain.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Monday, December 1,1958.

East Germany’s Leader Denies Any Agreement On Travel Into Berlin

Ike Winds Up Golf Vacation, Calls Meetings To Meet Wednesday To Map Legislation For New Congress AUGUSTA, Ga. (UPD — President Eisenhower, winding up a 13day golfing vacation here, today called two high level meetings at the White House Wednesday to deal with vital sections at his program for the new Congress—space and missiles, and the towering spending programs for defense and foreign aid. The chief executive called a meeting of the National Aeronautic Space Council Wednesday morning. One of the key items pending before the council is whether the Army must give over its top scientific 'staff of missile experts to the civilian National Aeronautics and Space Admnistration. Wednesday afternoon the President will held the first of two ident will hold the first of two Ings this week. These two NSC conferences will be devoted to discussing the massive programs for fiscal 1960 involving the maintenance of American security through the military spending budget, plus the mutual assistance program of economic and military aid for friendly nations outside the Soviet orbit of influence. The conferences Wednesday represent the start of a series of high-level meetings which by early next month will produce the finished blueprint of the administration’s program for the new Democratic Congress. Cabinet officers, budgetary experts, admirals and generals and congressional leaders from both parties will be consulted between now and early next month on a program being drafted in the knowledge that if it is to become a reality, it must be activated largely by the administration’s strong political opposition. Eisenhower will fly back to the White House late Tuesday, concluding a 13-day golfing vacation Continued on page five INDIANA WEATHER Partly cloudy and cold tonight and Tuesday. Snow flurries likely near Lake Michigan early tonight. Low tonight 5 to 12 northeast, 10 to 20 southwest. High Tuesday 20s north to low 30s south. Sunset today 5:21 p. m. CDT. Sunrise Tuesday 7:48 a. m. CDT. Outlook for Wednesday: Partly cloudy with little temperature change. Low Tuesday night 10-15 north, 15-20 south. High Wednesday mid 20s north to low 30s south.

Mayor Cole Discusses Proposed Utility Sale

(Editor’s note:—This is the sec-, ond in a series of articles by May- 1 or Robert D. Cole discussing the | various aspects of the proposed | sale of the city's electric utility to ' Indiana and Michigan Electric' company. Today’s article deals with the future of city-utility employes.) by Mayor Robert D. Cole Our city utility presently employs 34 person s—2l of whom work in the city’s generating plants and, 13 of whom are “line employes’’ who make service connections, repair distribution lines, and are generally concerned with the distribution of electricity to customers. Regardless of whether the citizens of Decatur elect to sell the utility to I and M or to keep the city in the electric-utility business, the 21 employes who work at the city’s generating plants eventually will have to seek employment elsewhere. Even if the citizens vote to keep the city in the utility business, plans will have to be made to cease generation of electricity)

Policeman's Trial Is Again Postponed Plaintiff Requests For Change Os Judge The case of Dale Death against the city of Decatur, asking for reinstatement as a city policeman and scheduled for trial Tuesday has been postponed again by the plaintiff's request for a change of venue from the judge. In asking for the change of venue Death charged that Judge Wayne W. Hinkle of the Jay circuit court is biased, and has an interest and prejudice in the case. Judge Hinkle ruled Friday allowing the change of venue from him, and gave the laweyrs involved until today to agree on a judge. If there is no agreement, he will appoint a panel of three judges, and each side in the issue will be al-‘ lowed to strike one, the remaining judge hearing the case In an amended affidavit for a change of judge Death adds that he did not discover this bias until ■November 25. Evidence of Bias As avidence of bias, he lists the following: (1) That the defendant’s motion to strike part of the plaintiff’s complaint was filed on the 12th day of May, 1958. and was argued before the Hon. Wayne W. Hinjkle on the Wth day of October, 1958; that Judge Hinkle did not rule on the motion until Nov. 25, and that only the defense attorney was present, the plaintiff’s attorney being notified later by telephone. (2) That on Nov. 24 attorney Anderson informed attorney DeVoss that Judge Hinkle had not yet ruled on the motion to strike, and that DeVoss had said that he would have James Grimes, another attorney for the defendant, who resides at Portland, ask the judge to rule cm the motion shortly; the next day Judge Hinkle ruled on the motion. (3) That until Judge Hinkle ruled. Death did not know what would remain of his complaint, and was unable to prepare the case. (4) That until Judge Hinkle ruled the plaintiff (Death) did not know whether the case was at issue or not. (5) That although the Judge's ruling left the case at issue as of the date it was filed, the plaintiff had no way of knowing this until Nov. 25. (6) That in a telephone conversation between Anderson and Judge Hinkle at 11 a.m. Nov. 25, Judge Hinkle indicated that he was overruling the defendant’s motion to strike' even though he as judge felt that there were parts of the plaintiff’s complaint that were objectionable. The judge continued, according to Death’s affidavit, that he thought the defendant (the city of Decatur) could file a demurrer Continued on page five

i at the plants because of the ex- • cessive cost of local generation. Should the decision of the voters be to sell the utility to I&M the ' Fort Wayne-based utility can and will utilize the services, here in Decatur, of all the city’s “line employes.” The , "plant employes” all will receive severance pay from I&M. The severance pay that employes will receive from I&M amounts to three full weeks’ pay for each year of service up to 10 years, or 30 weeks maximum. If the decision of the voters keeps the city utility in business, plant employes will receive no severance pay when the plants are closed. There is a possibility, too, that the city may be able to find other employment for the 21 plant employes affected when the plants are closed; and I&M will endeavor to find work for plant employes at one of its own plants or one of those of its parent firm, American Power company, should it be successful in purchasing our facUities. (Next: I&M service)

Big Three Seek Counter-Plan To Red Offer West Powers Likely To Seek Talks Over Full German Issues WASHINGTON (UPD — The Western Big Three today hunted for a counter-proposal to Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev’s call to make West Berlin a demilitarized free city. It appeared likely the counterproposal, when it is made, will call for Big Four talks with Russia on the entire German question — not on Berlin alone as Khrushchev was reported to have suggested at a cocktail party. Meanwhile President Eisenhower renewed the U.S. pledge, to refrain from any agreement or course of action that would abandon West Berlin to Russian domination. Dulles Releases Statement The President's reassurance was announced in Augusta, Ga., Sunday by Secretary of State John Foster Dulles who conferred with the Chief Executive for more than an hour at his winter White House. In a brief statement after the meeting, Dulles said he had reported to Eisenhower “on the developing situation” following receipt of Khrushchev’s Berlin note last week. “We noted the exchanges of views which already had taken place between the Western Allies most concerned, including the Federal Republic of Germany, and the general harmony of views already manifest in the West,” Dulles said. “Consultations will, of course, continue. “The President reiterated our government’s firm purpose that the United States will not enter Continued on page five Impanel Grand Jury Here This Morning Jurors Sworn In By Judge Parrish Approximately 200 students from Adams county high schools witnessed the impaneling of the six grand jury members today at the Adams circuit court by Judge Myles F. Parrish. Among the schools attending the impaneling were Decatur high school, Berne-French high school, Geneva and Pleasant Mills. Most of the students consisted of seniofs and government classes. Mrs. Romaine Young wag appointed court reporter and Charles Smith, of Decatur, was named as the grand jury baliff. After each member was qualified, Judge Myles F. Parrish then read the jurors their instructions, and the history of the English grand jury system. The jury was instructed to inspect the court house, county jail and the county home, and was told by the judge to report their findings to the Adams circuit court. Also among their instructions, was the investigation of felonies or misdemeanors committed since the last annual session and told to report their findftigs to the court. The court interrogated each of the jurors in order to asceartain whether they were qualified to sit as jurors during the pending session. After the Adams county clerk, Richard D. Lewton, administered the oath, the men were sworn in as jury members. The session of the grand jury ineludes: Lawrence R. Williamson, Union township; Herman A. Lengerich. Union township— Kenneth Roop, Decatur-Root; Alva W. Lawson, Washington township; Kenneth Reed, Washington township; and Oran Schultz, Washington township, acting as jury foreman.

Good Fellows Club Is Launched Today Local Sorority Is Sponsor For Club “Won’t you help us to help others have a Merry Christmas? This is the plea of the Good Fellows club. The Good Fellows club was organized by the Delta Theta Tau sorority in 1917 to aid the needy at Christmas time. It is through the generosity of individuals, civis, and social organizations, business men and women, and industries that enable the Good Fellows to give a little happiness to the less fortunate at Christmas. Each year a list is compiled of persons who would have a meager Christmas if some one would not help a little, perhaps illness in a family, an unemployment check that could not be stretched, a small pension having to meet other demands and other unfortunate circumstances dim many a person’s Christmas. "Have you ever noticed the forsaken look on a child's face when he feels no one will remember him on Christmas. Or a person whose Christmas dinner would be no different than the usual bowl of soup or piece of bread.” Mrs. Frank Lybarger is serving as general chairman this year and anyone knowing of some deserving person is asked to contact her by calling 3-2080 as a new list is compiled each year and no holdover names are used. Mrs. Wilmer Bultemeier and Mrs. Kenneth Shannon are food chairmen, Mrs. Melvin Weisman and Mrs. Gordon Gregg are toy chairmen. Each membef of the sorority spends many hours, investigating, sorting, and packing food baskets, repairing and fixing toys and any necessary work that is needed to make this project a success. “Won’t you help us to spread this little bit of happiness by a donation, small or large, you may be sure it will be spent wisely. Canned goods, new or used toys will be appreciated and these donations can be taken directly to the fire station, the headquarters for many years, or by contacting any member of the sorority.” Monetary contributions will be accepted by Miss Rosemary Spangler, R. R. 2, Decatur, Ind. Two Wells County Men Die In Crash Die Late* Saturday In Auto Accident Two Wells county men were Hilled and a third critically injured late Saturday night when the auto in which they were riding on icy pavement and crashed into a tree on state road 1 five miles south of Fort Wayne. Homer Russell Fosnaugh, 38, of Reiffsburg, was apparently killed instantly, and Robert Max Anderson, 27, of Bluffton, died at 12:20 a.m. Sunday at the Lutheran hospital in Fort Wayne. Kent L. Risser, Bluffton route 4, believed to be the driver, is listed in critical condition at the Lutheran hospital. Fosnaugh, World War II veteran, had been employed for the past 13 years by the Tokheim Corp, in Fort Wayne. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Charles Fosnaugh, with whom hej resided; four brothers, Foorest of Bluffton route 3, Donford of Geneva, Lavern, in Illinois, and Garth, of Attica, 0., and two sisters, Mrs. Norman Duke of Attica, and Mrs. Oscar Andrews of Bluffton route 3. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Thoma funeral horns in Bluffton, the Rev. Virgil Hull officiating. Anderson was employed in the mechanical department of the Bluffton News-Banner. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Charles Anderson, and a sister, Mrs. Richard Miller, both of Bluffton. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Thoma funeral home, the Rev. L. G. Sapp officiating. Burial will be in Fairview cemetery.

Denies Travel Rights Given To West Allies Denies Agreements Give West Powers Any Travel Rights BERLIN (UPD—East German Foreign Minister Lothar Bolz today denied agreements exist giving the W est€rn powers the right to travel to isolated Berlin. Bolz in a speech to an East Berlin meeting of the national council of the Communist-run “nationaal front,” went far beyond previous Eastern statements questioning Western use of air and land routes through East Germany in six months when the Soviets abrogate four-power occupation agreements. He said no agreements on use of the lifelines to the West ever were made and none exist now. “Berlin was a part of the Soviet occupation zone and today is a part of the German Democratic Republic,” he said. “The agreements that gave the Western powers the right to participate in the administration of 'Berlin do not change this fact. | “As a result of this, the railway and canal system remained under Soviet authority and no agreements were reached on die traffic routes between West Berlin and the West zones.” Despite Bolz’s statement, both the Soviets and East Germans today indicated by their acts that they plan to respect Western occupation rights at least until expiration of the six-month period given the West to accept new Soviet proposals on Berlin. A broken rail just outside West Berlin today delayed the U.S. military train from Frankfurt for 60 minutes. A U.S. Army spokesman said the East German railway repaired the track quickly and efficiently so the train could continue its journey through the Soviet zone and enter West Berlin. The Communist propaganda campaign was meeting firm resistance. and the 12,000 American, British and French troops were under orders to shoot baek if Soviet or East German troops invaded the Western sectors of the city. The West Berlin city government called for a minute of silence at noon to mark the 10th anniversary of the division of the city; the Communists celebrated Sunday with anti-Western demonstrations and new demands the West get out. The Western allies also wera pledged to defend the city’s lifelines running 110 miles through Communist territory. The pledge might well have to be redeemed; East German Communists emOontinned on pag* flva BULLETIN Mrs. Ida May Gay-Working-er, wife of Perry Workinger, died at 10:40 a.m. today at her home on Ohio City,. 0.. route 2, after a long illness. Survivors include her husband: a daughter, Mrs. Lowell (Ruby) Brittson of Fort Wayne; a son, Leo Workinger, Decatur route 5. and four grandchildren. The body was removed to the Zwick funeral home. Funeral arrangements have not been completed.

Six Cents