Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 57, Number 100, Decatur, Adams County, 28 April 1959 — Page 1

Vol. LVII. No. 100.

Annual Meeting Held By Community Fund

Wilbur Petrie, of Petrie Oil Co., and Deane T. Dorwin, Decatur high school teacher, were elected members of the Decatur Community Fund board of directors representing industry and schools, respectively, at tee annual meeting Monday night. —: Petrie will replace Art Burris on the board, and Dorwin will replace Miss Glennys Roop, who has served as secretary. Burris is a former chairman of the group. 7 The right member agencies' reported at meeting, and gave accounts concerning what had been accomplished this past year. Salvation Army Brigadier Herbert H. Hill, service extension director of the Indiana division of the Salvation Army, represented his organization. He explained that the Salvation Army was proud to be a member of the Community Fund, and believed that the fund was performing an important function. By being a member, tee Salvation Army personnel are released to accomplish their purpose—“with heart to God and hand to man.” Brigidier Hill explained that Earl Caston, treasurer of the local organization, furnished 83 lodgings. 52 meals, clothing for 12 persons. — and gave travel aid to 19 persons during the past yea? in Decatur. . This required an expenditure of $270.25. # The army has 39 major centers in Indiana, and provides help for the erring, the bewildered, and -> the unfortunate. The Harbor Light center in Indianapolis serves drug and drink addicts, as well as homeless men: last year 42.061 attendances were recorded, with 47,845 beds supplied, and 56,677 meals given. Also included in the Salvation Army work are arrangements and care for unmarried expectant mothers through six Salvation - Army-operated homes and hospit-. als in adjacent states; men's social centers, fresh air camps for underprivileged, evangelistic and character-building work, league of mercy hospital visitations, and emergency services in case of disaster. USO Report The importance of the USO (United Service Organization) was also stressed. Decatur, with a population of 7,500, has approximately 120 enlisted men in service, 48of whom are married, with 91 children. The USO furnishes valuable help _to these men, orienting them in many cities of the United States, and providing helpful recreation centers in foreign places, where the only other spots where they are welcome are bars. More than 40% of the servicemen today are married, and most of them have their wives and children with teem at their bases. This provides a problem which the USO helps solve. Also, the decentralization of bases overseas, with many, small bases, located miles apart, rather than a few large bases, poses additional problems for the USO. The USO budget is set up by the national council of community funds, and includes only the barest minimum necessary to accomplish the task assigned by the department of defense, it was explained. No reserve or surplus is carried, except that required to liquidate the organization. The USO has functioned efficiently for 18 years without a scandal, providing helpful recreation and information for service personnel. Cancer Report Three principal uses have been made locally of funds donated to the Cancer society, Dr. John B. Spaulding, president of the group, said.' First, 14 films have been

r* " | ■*VK fl ’IL 'flta < * ft J> */.';-<7 j>.. » Mi aHh Miss Betty Myers > Reuben A. Stauss Sheldon Licht COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES for the Pleasant Mills high school graduated will be held at the school auditorium Monday, May 4. Miss Betty Myers is the class valedictatorian, Sheldon Light is the class salutatorian, and the Rev. Reuben A. Stauss will deliver the commencement address.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY _

shown to the various schools in the county, and are available on request from the local society. Token gifts of SSO are given to the cancer patients. Supplies that can be used for dressing material are furnished to the Business and Professional Women’s club, front which dressings are made'and furnished to cancer patients. Also, a small amount is used for stationery, stamps, etc. About 60% of the money given goes to cancer research, and the *ncer society prides itself on using the least amount for administrative purposes of any of the health agencies. The cancer society will withdraw from the Community Fund, however, not because the local board desires it. but because of a new ruling enforced by the national organization. Boy Scouts Herman H. Krueckeberg reported for the Boy Scouts, explaining that the biggest problem was securing interested adult personnel to properly supervise the troops. Four troops are now active in Decatur, and a new Cub pack is being organized at the Lutheran church. Youth Center Joe Kaehr reported for the Youth and Community Center, and mentioned that the attendance was estimated 150,000 youth the past year. Kaehr stated that on behalf * of the board he would like to commend Richard Linn for the fine job he has done as director of the (Continued on page four) Give Many Prizes Here At Showcase The third annual Decatur merchants’ Showcase will play host to more than 10,000 expected visitors for the three-day exhibit of new merchandise at the Youth and Community Center May 5, 6 and 7. Prizes valued at more than $2,500 will be given away to lucky Pisons who register at the local stores or at the exhibit. The 54 displays, plus a new innovation of an outside tent, housing new cars and boats, will include the new models of merchandise from 37 local merchants and manufacturers. Visitors will have eight hours a day to view the spectacle, from 1 to 9 p.m. daily. Free Parking At Center Free parking will be provided for the added convenience of those who drive to the Center, on the west side of the city on U.S. highway 224. Refreshments will also be available at the Center’s snack bar. ' • . ■ —— At the centrally located stores in town, residents may sign up for the prizes there, but at the outlying stores, ticket boxes will be set up at the display booths. Last year, appliances, a diamond ring, paint, mattresses and box springs, radiophonographs and numerous other items were given away. Chairman Earl Sheets, of the sponsoring retail division of the. Chamber of Commerce, said that this year’s project will “be bigger and better” than ever. More merchants are participating, more space is being allocated, more prizes are being offered, and more persons are expected the view the Showcase. Free Admission To Showcase Assisting Sheets as co-chairmen are Bill Lose, Paul Uhrick, and Ralph Sauer. They announced that no charge will be made for admission to the extravaganza. The featured attraction of the Showcase will be new colors, new styling, new fashions, and new materials. Factory representatives from various fields will be on hand to demonstrate the many products that will be sold in Decatur.

County Council To Meet Here On May 8 The Adams county council will be called to special session Friday evening, May 8, at 8 o’clock, to consider additional appropriations and transfer of funds tee board of commissioners consider necessary to meet emergencies existing which were not included in the current budget. Listed among the appropriationS is $l,lOO for the new proposed Adams county building planned for Monroe. «. it was learned last Monday when the commissioners opened bids for the construction of the new county building that all bids submitted exceeded the appropriated $42,000 believed sufficient for the building’s construction. The lowest bid recorded was submitted by Yost Construction Co. Inc., calling for $43,100. Other county revenue items to be considered total $770. Transfers total $8,200 for circuit court and county highway items. Items listed from the accumulative bridge fund include: bridge No. 17 on county road 7M> in St. Mary’s twp., $2,500; bridge No. 18 on county road 27 and three fourths in Blue Creek twp., $6,000; bridge No. 19 on county road four in Union twp., $6,000; and bridge No. 1 on county rorfd 28 in Union twp., $5,000. Other business matters discussed by the board of commissioners at Monday’s regular meeting included a conference with a few members of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce concerning the mud road leading from 13th street into the Jand owned by the Chamber of Commerce, which lies between the Erie railroad and the Nickel Plate railroad. The interested peasons conferred! with the commissioners about resurfacing the road. No immediate action was taken, and the matter was taken under advisement. Attending the conference with the commissioners were Harry Schwartz, Louis Jacobs, David Macklin and Fred Kolter. — Brooks Wheeler, of Jefferson township, discussed with the commissioners a ditch problem which exists tn Jefferson township- The matter was referred to county surveyor, Herman Moellering.

State Streams Well Above Flood Stage United Press International — ~

The Wabash River crept into the southwest edge of the city of Wabash today, sending at least a dozen families to higher ground’ and threatening more evacuations. Wabash appeared to be the hardest hit community as water from the third flood of 1959 splashed upward in the waks of the heaviest rains in Indiana since the big overflow in February. The muddy stream climbed to 20.6 feet by midmorning at Wabash. The weather forecasters indicated a crest between 22 and 23 feet was likely late tonight, 10 to 11 feet above flood stage and within about two feet of the 24.7foot crest reached last February. An area of 15. square blocks was closed to traffic in Wabash and a dozen families left their homes as the water rose. Plans were made to use the city armory as an emergency shelter if necessary. Other cities along the Wabash and the White Rivers faced flooding. Thunderstorms with wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour were recorded as heavy precipitatiod kept up its three-day assault on Hoosierland.

Decatur. Indiana, Tuesday, April 28,1959.

Girl Suffocated By Plastic Bag NEW YORK (UPD—Two-year-old Lorraine Alverson put a plastic laundry bag over her head Monday while her mother was out shopping. Mrs. Nancy Alverson returned 10 minutes later to find her daughter suffocated. Railroad Official Is Lions Speaker * “During World War II our railroads in this country handled 90% of the pasqpnger traffic and 97% of the freight, indicating the tremendous responsibility placed on railroading," Mortimer J. Reilly, freight sales representative of the Pennsylvania Railroad, told the Decatur Lions club Monday night. Reilly, a member ot tee TriState railroad commission, was introduced by a fellow member, Weldon M. Bumgerdner. Boy Scout Allen Bender led the pledge to the flag. “Railroads tie the country together and are largely responsible for the rapid development of our economy. They have adapted diesel power in place of steam; have provided refrgierated cars for moving parishables, and modern passenger cars with air conditioning and telephones. “The railroads expect to continue passenger service as well as fast freight.

“At present the number one problem is commuting passenger service near large bities. These trains are losing money in this field. The cross-country passenger trains are providing good service, however.” Reilly explained how a loaded freight car is transferred from one railroad to another and may be away from its local road for many months but by an accounting system the home railroad knows at all times where the car is. and receives revenue regularly for its use. This is made possible by standard-guage track and coupling devices. The Lions club will meet at 6 p. m. next Monday at the General Elect/ic cafeteria for lunch and a tour of the plant.

Forecasts called for clearing and cooler tonight and no indication of further showers through Thursday. But additional lain throughout today will raise the precipitation totals which for some areas already have passed the five-inch mayk since Sunday. Marion, which had 3.93 inches of rain up to 7 a.m. Monday, added 1.60 inches for perhaps the heaviest fall in tee state. Hie Wabash River. which climbed to its highest levels since 1913 in some areas in February, pushed far above flood stage at Wabash and Lafayette. At Lalay..ontlnued on page five BULLETIN NEW YORK (UPD—Arthur Godfrey disclosed today he may be suffering from lung cancer.

Pleasant Mills To Graduate 17 Students

Seventeen members of the senior class of Pleasant Mills high school are candidates for diplomas for commencement exercises slated to be held Monday, May 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium, G. W. Vizard, principal, announced today. Baccalaureate services are scheduled for Sunday, May 3, at 7:30 o'clock in the high school auditorium,'with the Rev. Billy Springfield, pastor of the Pleasant Mills Methodist church, delivering the address. Music for file processional and recessional for the commencement exercises will be provided by Carolyn Luginbill, a junior at Pleasant Mills high school. Miss Luginbill will also provide music for the baccalaureate services. Special music will feature a vocal ensemble. The commencement address, “A pocketful of dreams,” will be delivered by Reuben A« Stauss, 8.D., M.A. The Rev. Richard Ward will lead the invocation and benediction for the commencement exercises. The Rev. Huber Bakner will lead the invocation and benediction for the baccalaureate services.

tion for

Secretary Herter In Paris To Seek Solid West Front

Ike’s Budget Plans Scored

WASHINGTON (UPD — The House Appropriations Committee angrily assailed President Eisenhower’s balanced budget today and voted to add $181,391,700 to wending he proposed for health, education and welfare. ’ Accusing the administration of trying to economize at the expense of the peoples’ health, the committee said its officials concealed budget plans for cutting back federal research to combat cancer, heart disease, and many other ailments. It described administration spending plans for health programs as “completely unrealistic . . .unthinkable. . .gross foolishpess.. .inconceivable. ” ! The committee approved increases totaling $131,892,000 for the office of education; and $2,000,000 for the Food and Drug Administration. It also alloted an extra $1,215.000 for welfare programs handled

by the social security administration. The increases were written into • a $3,915,084,181 appropriation to finance the Health, Education and . Welfare Department and* the La- . kpr. Department and delated la- . bcr agencies during the fiscal year starting next July 1. Funds for labor programs were - trimmed to $547,114,500, a cut of $23,112,500, but increases elsewhere raised the overall total $158,235,600 above administration recommendations. That amount alone would be enough to wipe out the $50,000,000 surplus forseen by the administration and force a continuation of red ink spending in the next fiscal year. The committee said the Presi- > dent’s proposal to hold spending • for medical research to this year’s 1 level would force a “backard” 1 step because of increasing costs. '■ Instead it recommended $344,- ! 279,000 for research on diseases ! by the National Health Institutes. This was an increase of $50,000,000 over the President’s budget. 1 The committee parceled out the ' Increases for expanding research work on cancer, mental health, i heart disease, dental health, arthritis, allergies, infectious diseases, blindness, and other ailments. The committee recommended an extra $8,025,000 for mental health research, noting that mental illness now costs the country at least $3,000,000,000 a year. It said it costs an average of $15,000 a year to treat meiHal patients who, if cured, could be earning their own living and paying taxes.

The presentation of awards will begiven by G. W. Vizard, principal, with the diplomas presented by G. M. Grabill, county superintendent of schools. Miss Betty Myers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. Myers, of route one, Monroe, earned valedictorian honors with a 90.55% average. Sheldon Light. son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. fight, of route six, Decatur, was named salutatorian with an average of 90.38%., Miss Myers was voted president of the senior class, was a cheerleader for four years, editor of the yearbook, active in the class play, and was active in music for four years. Light was a member of the editorial staff of the Spotlight, student manager of the basketball team for two years, active in the class play, and active in music. Members of the graduating class include: Marjorie Dailey, Richard Ehrsam, Ferris Fox, Stephen Irwin, Sheldon Light, Judy Lough, Edward LuginbilL .Gary Millington, Betty Myers, Marie Ohler, Jane Raudenbush, Steven Riley, Roger Roe, Roger Snyder, Kenneth Terrell, Judy Williamson and Gerry Winans.' —~ .

Tornado Rips . Al Four Areas In Missouri United Press International A tornado erupted from a line of severe thundershowers across the Midwest Tuesday,- causing damage in four southeastern Missouri communities and injuring at least one person. The twister struck Dexter shortly before 2 a. m. CDT., injuring Mrs.. Earlene Mace, 35, and damaging homes in about an eightblock area. What was believed to be the same tornado also damaged buildings and ripped down utility lines in nearby Essex, Morehouse and Sikeston, Mo, The winds were so powerful they toppled a 4,500-pound monument at Dexter. All radio and telephone contact was lost at Morehouse for a time. Several other reports of funnel clouds were received during the night in Missouri and southwestern Illinois, but none of them apparently touched-down. A tornado alert in a four-county area of southwestern Illinois was lifted at 2 a. m. CDT. The high winds accompanied drenching rains which dumped up to four inches of water in Indiana since Monday, swelling rivers to near flood stage.

Chicago was soaked by more than two inches of rain since Monday, the highest total for a comparable period since the deluge of July 12, 1957, when more than six inches, of rain fell. Basements were flooded in some suburbs of Chicago. Marble size hail battered Sesser, 111., during the night, and heavy hail also hit Columbia, Mo., and Paw Paw, 111., south of Rockford. Berne Tavern Permit Is Again Rejected For the second time in 11 weeks, an applicant seeking a beer and wine permit for 112 E. Main street, in Berne, was unanimously rejectbed the license by the Adams county alcoholic beverage board this afternoon. . Glen Grogg, 57, route one, Geineva. a retired farmer, was denied a beer and wine retailers permit this afternoon because several remonstrances were presented in opposition to granting the license. The Rev. Robert Magary, of Berne, presented remonstrances containing names of 1,456 registered voters, 582. names of non-reg-istered voters, and 75 business men and women from Berne.

■ St Mary’s Is Above Flood Stage

l - Decatur and Adams county. 1 which were lolling in the sunshine of spring a few short days ago, ; suddenly find that the “monsoon” ’ season has arived. St. Mary’s riv- ! er, which had been well below ’ three feet for more than a week, , today is‘ reported at 17.84 feet by ’ weather observer Louis Landrum [ as L 5 inche’s of rain fell. , All of these readings are as of 7 a.m. and are likely to increase t as the rain continues. The weather [ forecast shows that showers will . continue in this area today. Yesterday’s mark for the river level was 9.26 feet. Landrum said k that the rive? is still about four • feet from actual flooding danger, ■ although the theoretical flooding • level is 13 feet. The torrential downpour depos-

PARIS (UPD — Secretary of State Christian Herter plunged today into the first major challenge of his new job and said he was confident the Western powers would meet the Russians at the Geneva conference “with unity and firmness of purpose.” Herter’s job will be to try to weld a solid Western front for the foreign ministers conference. He was brimming with confidence as he stepped off a U.S. Air Force plane and predicted, “We shall be able to agree wholeheartedly on tee course we must follow in our common interest.” At the same time Herter admitted teat different viewpoints existed among the Western powers. “It is “only natural” that these "somewhat different points of view” exist on the East-West crisis, he said.

Herter spoke briefly to reporters on arriving for a formal conference Wednesday with the foreign ministers of Britain, France and West Germany on the package program they will present to Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko in Geneva May 11. Herter read his arrival states ment in flawless French and then in English. The Paris-born Herter balked at reading it in German though he learned the language as a child. Herter flew in from Washington and scheduled a conference with President Charles de Gaulle I almost at once to begin his arduous task of rebuilding Western unity to cope with the tough Sovle stand on Germany and West Berlin. On Wednesday he will meet with his British, French and West German colleagues in the first official round of negotiations that are o shape Western strategy for the May 11 Geneva conference. But his job begins today with pre- ' liminary meetings. Though backed by solid U.S. Senate approval and a firm declaration by President Eisenhower, Herter faced major difficulties. Former Secretary of State John Foster Dulles is regarded by the Western Allies as the stronges secreary in generations and to them Herter is yet unproved. Vast differences still remained in the approach sought by the Western Allies to meet the challenge of Berlin and a hardening Soviet line marked by frequent outbursts against the West. The meeting with De Gaulle could set the tone for the forthcoming Western foreign ministers meeting Wednesday with Selwyn Lloyd of Britain, Heinrich von Brentano of West Germany and Maurice Couve de Murville of France. . K they are successful in their Geneva meeting with Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko, a summit meeting could follow later this summer. INDIANA WEATHER Showers ending this afternoon with strong northwesterly to westerly winds 25 to 38 mph. Clearing, cooler centeral and south tonight. Wednesday mostly sunny and mild. Low tonight 38 to 45. Wednesday highs in the 60s north to around 70 south. Sunset today 7:36 p.m. Sunrise Wednesday 5:49 a.m. Outlook for Thursday: Fair and mild. Low 37 to 47. High 65 to 75.

■■- - - ited 2.63 inches of rain in the Berne area Sunday and Monday, while Geneva reported an unofficial reading of 3.5 inches. Basements and low spots in both areas were flooded with recriminations being heard in Berne concerning the inadequacy of the storm sewers. The Wabash river left its banks at several locations Monday, but was restricted to the low areas. The continuance of rain may, however, add to the seriousness of the. situation. , In spot checking rainfall measured around the county, the largest amount seems to have fallen on Jefferson township. Harley Reef reports that 4.5 inches have fallen since Sunday. The Decatur total since Sunday is only 2.78 inches. Unfam township’s Erwin Fuelling

Six Centl

Parents Meet With. High School Faculty More than 220 parents of eighth, grade pupils will? meet’ with the Decatur high school faculty Thursday, May 7 at 7:30 4 m. In the school gym, discussing a counselling program for the future high school pupils. Principal Hugh J. Andrews also announced today that the program would include a coffee hour, giving the parents the opportunity to socially meet members of the faculty. The “parents’ night” will also enable the parents to discuss the schedules the school will present to incoming freshmen, the types of diplomas available, and varied topics of interest to prospective high school parents. Preparations will also be made for summer school as well as next year’s program. In addition, the eighth grade faculty from both Lincoln and Northwest schools will attend. The group counselling project is the second of its kind as senior high school parents met last January.

Some Families May Be Forced To Move While the St. Mary’s river move‘d more than four feet over flood stage, a quick survey of low spots in the county shows that most of them are still above water. At Bellmont park the water was still about two feet from crossing the road at noon, but it was reported that some families were planning to move out temporarily. At Stratton Place and Park View Drive, water was still about six feet from a damaging or threatening level. Numerous county roads were inundated by flooding creeks, mostly in the central part of the county. In town no deep water was reported, but several puddles made streets dangerous. Water at Berne was lower today than yesterday, with none in the streets. At Monroe, however, water covered several intersections. About 200. yards west of Adams Central school on highway 124, the road was covered by several inches of water. North of Geneva on the curve of highway 27 the draintile which leads to Rainbow Lake has backed up, putting about 18 inches to two feet of water over the highway. This is believed to be due to the high level of the lake. The small creek running through Monmouth was brim-full this morning, and water from a ditch north of town was flowing gently noon zxlrl WictKumv 97 ■*.»-• - * OvCr OKI liigtxWaj £«• The. Piqua road between Monmouth and highway 221 was not yet under water at the low bridge, which is one of the first places to flood. In general the water level was ■ not expected to reach the depth attained during the winter iceflood which drove several families in Bellmont and other areas from their homes.

recorded 1.5 inches since 6 p.m. Monday to 8 o’clock this morning. While Hartford’s Ivan Huser also recorded the same amount. Huser also said that the total in that township was 3.7 since Sunday. Ben Mazelin of Monroe township reports that 3.9 inches have fallen there since Sunday, the two day average being close to 2 inches, or almost a half inch more than Decatur’s average. Rosemary Spangler of Kirkland township reported 3.1 inches of rain since Saturday. Because very little rain fell Saturday or Sunday during the day, this reading al- ’ most matches the Decatur measurement. Several cither townships in the county have not taken records as yet and one reported a broken gauge.