Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 57, Number 141, Decatur, Adams County, 16 June 1959 — Page 1

Vol. LVII. No. 141.

Gary Citizens Demand Cleanup

GARY. Ind. (UPD—A mass meeting of Gary citizens, angered by Senate Rackets Committee revelations of vice and corruption, Monday night gave officials two weeks to clean up this lusty steelmaking city. The standing-room-only crowd of irate citizens served an utilmatumon Lake County Prosecutor Floyd Vance that they would petition for his resignation unless he produced a "noticeable improvement” within two weeks. An estimated 600 persons shouted approval of the ultimatum at the mass meeting called by the Gary Crime Commission and the Gary Women’s* Citizen’s Committee. , They acted after Cornelius Verplank, crime commission chairman, charged that the "entire' situation in Lake County is rotten j and an absolute mess.” State Police Superintendent Harold Zies called for good law enforcement and strong prosecution and pledged all help possible to "root out vice and gambling."

it ' S’" '’’’'’' f; , . I ‘ - Jr a- w jb* ' \ J |L _ Fl w I |K >• i ‘"' '1 BsMto- Vi eb. * ■* FIRE SINKS BRITHH DEEP-SEA CABLE SHIP— The 4.600-ton British ship Ocean Layer, a former German cargo vessel taken as a war prize and converted at a cost of $2,800,000 into one of the world’s most modern cable laying vessels, burned in mid-Atlantic while laying deep-sea sections of the new twin-cable linking France and the United States via Newfoundland. Nine Americans were among the 98 plucked from lifeboats some 500 miles west of Ushant, France after the first went out of control and the ship’s master, Capt. A. Macpherson Ross, ordered abandonment. All were rescued by the German freighter Flavia, which was enroute to Hamburg.

Surprise Visit By Gromyko To Herter

GENEVA (UPD—Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko paid a surprise call on Secretary of State Christian Herter today, setting off speculation that he might be making a last minute move to end the deadlock in the current Big Four conference. Earlier, authoritative sources said he plans to turn down any Western move for a long recess in the talks and to press for an immediate decision on a summit conference. His asking for a meeting with Herter shortly before a scheduled strategy meeting among the Western ministers indicated he may have come up with a new plan to keep the discussions going a bit longer. - —•— Gromyko drove to Herter’s villa for the meeting, which American sources said he had requested. The Big Four sessions are in recess until Wednesday. The Herter - Gromyko session lasted for slightlv more than an hour, A “Complete Impasse*' _ Gromyko’s surprise visit .indicated he may have come up with a new Berlin plan or wanted to sound out Western intentions on a recess and the question of a summit meeting. Before Gromyko’s visit to Herter there seemed little hope of resolving what one Western official describde as a “complete impasse” in the current talks. The authoritative Communist sources said Gromyko will resist the planned Western strategy of interrupting the more than Ji-week-old talks for a cooling off period. Some Western sources have mentioned a five or six week recess. — The Western powers already were writing the obituary notice for the conference, convinced that Soviet refusal to back ,off on its ultimatum to the West to get out of Berlin within 12 months made agreement impossible now. Western sources said only a last minute retreat by Gromyko on the Russian ultimatum could keep the talks alive. They said at Monday’s 2%-hour meeting he showed no sign he was willing to withdraw the ultimatum. Western spokesmen said there was no “give” in his position. One spokesman said the meeting produced a “complete impasse.”

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY L N.N.- <• — »

The mass meeting resolved to petition the Indiana Supreme Court to investigate the fitness of former Deputy Prosecutor Metro Bolovachka to practice law in Indiana. Holovachka, who was linked by rackets investigators to vice and gambling in the populous area at the foot of Lake Michigan, resigned Sunday, charging that he was the innocent victim of a “conspiracy” by the Women’s* Citizen’s Committee, the Senate Racket Committee and the Gary PostTribune. Verplank told the aroused citizens that Holovachka’s refusal to reveal to the rackets committee the source of $327,724 in income during the years 1951-1958 amounts to admission of giiilt I Holovachka told a TV audience | Sunday that the huge sum found in his checking accounts was a special trustee account in which he deposited clients’ money while awaiting completion of real estate transactions. He denied ever taking money from any improper

V • Another said Gromyko “was like cow chewing a ud as he hashed over old ideas”—get out of Berlin or face the consequences. Gromyko was coldly formal and set forth his ideas in Russian although he speaks fluent English and has done so at less crucial meetings. At one point he taunted the Western powers for not producing a Berlin plan of their own. Girl Scouts' Camp Opened Here Monday Approximately 70 Girl Scouts ard Brownie fly-ups were at thej Girl Scout shelter for the first day of Girl Scout week Monday. Keyed- to an international theme this year, the Girl Scout week opened with studies of Switzerland, when the girls visited Switzerland and the international chalet through pictures. The camp will continue through Friday,’ when both Girl Scouts and Brownies plan a swim at the city pool. The day’s activities open about 9:30 each morning with flag raising cere-i monies, and end at 3 p.in. with flag lowering ceremonies. The first day’s attendance ta the Hanna-Nuttman pa,rk girl scout shelter was lower than in previous years, Mrs. R. C. Hersh, camp director, said this morning, adding that attendance dropped probably because there are many unregistered troops, troops without leaders, this year. INDIANA WEATHER Partly cloudy, chance of few scattered thundershowers central portion tonight or early Wednesday morning. Wednesday fair with not much change in temperature. Low tonight 54 to 62. High Wednesday 76 to 85. Sunset today 8:15 p.m. Sunrise Wednesday 5:17 a.m. Outlook for Thursday: Mostly fair and warmer. Lows 59 to 63. Highs 82 to 88.

source. Verptank at the mass meeting attacked Lake County Sheriff Peter Mandich and charged that the present “lawlessness” in Gary and surrounding cities began when Mandich, a former mayor, took office in 1953. The crime commission head also called for immediate dismissal of two Gary detectives, Donald Smith and Frank Unitich, who were witnesses before the rackets committee last week. “They have brough disgrace to the community,” Verplank said. “I know they were told of existing conditions, but instead of arresting vice, operators, they hobnobbed with them.” Mrs. J. Eward Burton, a member of the Women’s Citizens Committee, said Vance could help start clean up the county by closing the MAJ Motel, identified by rackets committee investigators as a notorious bawdy house. Vartce did not attend the meeting.

Officers Installed By Decatur Lions Congratulating this year’s Officers for the fine job they have done, Eric Purchase, state secretary of the Indiana Lions clubs, installed the 1959-60 officers of the Decatur Lions clubs, with Roger Gentis, of the Schafer company, as president. Glenn Hilf, of Leland Smith Insurance company, was presented a past president’s pin for his services during the 1958-59 year by Purchase. Garland Hardy, of Muhcie, husband of the former Mildred Worthman of Decatur, is the Indiana candidate for international director at the international convention in New York this year, Purchase announced. The Lions club was led in the oath of allegiance by Kenny Birch, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Birth. Herman Krueckeberg, program chairman, introduced international i counselor Roy Price, who introduced the speaker. Norman Steury asked that the club, and the members of the club, give money towards the Little League so that it can be expanded for next year. Next week will be a ladies night with the new officers conducting the meeting, Hill announced. Purchase, in an informal address to the club, explained how the Ben Davis Lions club in suburban Indianapolis had grown from eight inactive members at few years ago to 172 members with 90% attending each meeting now. Purchase, who became Indiana secretary five years ago, was celebrating his 15th anniversary as a Lions club member Monday night. Roy Price was iristailed as president of the Decatur club 20 years ago. There are 14 states which now have fulltime secretaries, Purchase explained. A state must have 350 active clubs or more to qualify for a secretary. There are 55 fulltime Lions International employes. Officers installed for the new year were: president, Roger Gentis; first vice president, Noah R. Steury; second vice president, Clyde E. Butler; third vice president, Glenn MaulTdr; treasurer, Robert D. Frisinger; secretary, Ed Highland; tail twister, Herb Banning; Lion Tamer, Alva W. Lawson; director, one year, Robert Worthman; directors two years, J. Clark Mayclin and 13r. Joe Morris; hold-over director, Hiurman I. Drew.

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday, June 16,1959.

, Flag Day Services Held Here Monday . The solemn tolling of the 11-hour bells set the mood for the Flag ; Day services Jdonday night on the Ealks lawn as state Senator Von A. Eichhorn delivered a stirring address, commemorating the an- , niversary of the American flag. Introductory services were conducted by George Bair, exalted ruler of the B. P. O. Elks .and officers of the lodge, building a floral bouquet of red, white and blue i flowers as an offering to members of the lodge and others who gave their lives fighting under the Stars and Stripes. Commander R. G. Smith, of the Decatur American Legion, told the story of the American flag, from the colonial colors that flew over the first American settlement to the Congress Colors of 1775 to the flag designed by Betsy Ross at the request of George Washington. Smith told of the flag of 18 stars that served as the inspiration to Francis Scott Key when he wrote what proved to be the national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner.” He concluded, telling how it reached its present make-up. Bair then explained how the Elks lodge originated Flag Day services at its Dallas, Tex., convention in 1906. Eichhorn, the dean of state senators, told the audience that Amer- ' icans must renew their dedication to the flag and to the principles that it represents. "We must Accept the responsibility of these principles from those who preceded us and who built this great covenant,” he said. In ewtoining how great civilizations fallen because of failure to meet economic crises, Eichhorn said, “The soldiers who died at the great battle fronts of all wars had the welfare of the family at heart—this is one principle that will lead to a sound economic life, protecting us from those giants (enemies) who seek to destroy us by their greed.” He concluded, saying, “The free enterprise system must be left intact for our children and their children to come. By adhering to the principles of the flag, we must not only be devoted to the flag, but halt! those who vilify and revile it.” The opening and closing musical Continued on page five Two Teen-age Boys, Killed In Accident TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (UPD— Two teen-age boys, who police said were racing another car, were | killed Monday night in a threevehicle collision at the east edge of the city limits. Phillip Mills, 17, Columbus, Ohio, was kijled Instantly. Fred D. I , Shanks, 17, Brazil, Ind., died about . five hours later in St. Anthony’s Hospital. • . ■ r-

400-Man Posse Seeks Gunmen

MIDDLEBORO, Mass. (UPD—I A 400-man posse early today surrounded a triangular area of dense woodlands in which two Philadelphia brothers wanted for slaying a policeman were believed hiding. Heavily armed men, ready to shoot it out, were stationed at 50yand intervals along the borders of the woods to prevent the sus- " pects, Johri Coyle, 24, and William, 22'— from slipping through the cordon. One brother -was believed wounded. Authorities planned to draw the circle slowly tighter to flush out the brothers. They will be aided by bloodhounds and an Air Force helicopter. Authorises said they were “almost certain” the pair remained > in the woods throughout the night They escaped into the area Monday after abandoning a halfstarved hostage and fighting a gun duel with two policemen. Held Hostage 10 Days The hostage, WUliam Sedgewick, 49, of Philadelphia, was kidnaped in that city 10 days ago and held prisoner in his own car. sharing the bandits' meagre diet erf occasional sandwiches, milk and marshmallows. In addition to the posse at the scene, other ,police patrols roamed Middleboro and nearby communities, ringing doorbells to make sure the fugitives had not invaded a home to hold its occupants hostage. The Coyles were known to have at least five guns and a large quantity of ammunition in their possession. Both were considered extremely dangerous. Police from nearly every city within 50 miles sent men to the scene. They joined a force of over

Youth Surrenders After Holding Half Sister As Hostage k ■ --- ■ -

CHARLESTON, 111. (UPD — Kerineth Adkins, 22. surrendered himself and his half-sister, whom he had held a hostage for nearly 16 hours at gunpoint, to police today. . . . Adkins gave up without a shot being fired, shortly before officers had planned to launch a tear-gas attack on the house where he had barricaded himself. Adkins in a note boasted he had attacked his batt-sister, Mrs. Nyra Kennedy, El, but she appeared otherwise unarmed. The guns that he had waved at police and at his captive were empty when he surrendered, although he had not fired a shot. Several minutes before Adkins walked Out with his half-sister, he had conferred with Mervin Biel, Charleston attorney; Ralph Glenn, assistant state’s attorney of Coles county; Charleston Police Chief John Pauley and Sgt. Paul Baines. To Even Old Score Adkins said he made his decision on the talk with Biel. Biel appealed to Adkins’ “sense of manhood,” and warned him that no good would come of holding his half-sister hostage. Adkins took the woman from her home near Paris about 6:30 p.m. Monday, brought her to the house here, and said he would hold her hostage at gunpoint until he had a chance to even an old score with Charleston Polic Capt. Logan Cox. Cox once had arrested him. Adkjns spent a few moments sitting on the front porch and being photographed by scores of newsreel men and photographers. He told newsmen he did not regret "my decision to give up.” He added he did “regret all the trouble I’ve caused—all I’ve ever wanted was a fair shake.” “Won a Big One” As he emerged into the sun-lit street, hundreds of people pushed forward to get a glimpse of the man who had held his half-ster, the mother of five children, cap- , tive all night. Police Chief Pauley credited the surrender to the insistent work of Baines, who "never gave up the belief that Adkins would surrender.” Baines walked from the scene and told a passing newsman, “We won a big one.” Throughout the all-night vigil,

100 state troopers, 25 FBI agents and a squad of Philadelphia police led by Chief Inspector John J. Kellj. Massachusetts Public Safety Director J. Henry Goguen took personal charge of the search operations. Officer Killed June 4 The Coyles were wanted for the slaying pf Philadelphia Policeman James F. Kane on June 4. He was believed to have caught them stc'Ertlng bntties- -of milk- near their hideout in that city. The brothers also are suspected of a half dozen holdups including one Monday * *at J a liquor store here, where they bound and gagged Mrs. Mary C. Kennedy, 54, after stealing about SSO. Mrs. Kennedy hobbled to a telephone after working the gag loose and phoned police. Crusier cars were soon on the trail of the fleeing bandits. Miiddleboro Policeman Daniel R. Guertin, 26, and State Policeman Daniel Sullivan cornered the bandits on a lonely dead end road which borders the wooded area. Before /either offeier was out of his car / the Coyles opened fire. More than 100 shots were fired in the subsequent battle which ended when the policemen were forced to withdraw for more ammunition. During the battle, Guertin said he heard one of the suspects say, “I’m hit.” Guertin said he believed one bullet Tut the man in the leg. While the two policemen were getting more ammunition from their cars, the Coyles fled. When the officers returned they saw Sedgewick stumble from the back seat of the bandits’ car, clutching his abdomen.

Baines repeatedly attempted to ain the confidence of Adkins. The fugitive admitted to newsmen in special interviews that he lielieved in Baines. Coles County Deputy Sheriff James Warpenburg served Adkins with a warrant charging kidnaping. It was signed by Viril Kennedy, husband of the captive mother. • Taken to City Jail Visibly shaken Adkins said “I don’t know ... I don't know ... I just want a fair chance.” Adkins was take b to the Charleston city jail where it was expected he would be turned over to Edar County authorities on the kidnaping warrant. He wore a tattered green baseball cap, brown and red ’ pinstriped tattered shirt, black tattered pants and ’ brown shoes and had a visible growth of i beard on him. Mrs. Kennedy appeared shaken when she emerged into the sunlight. . Gaines set up two niterviews during the night with Adkins and attended the third one with the other officials. The two earlier ones were attended by this reporter. . In the second, we were accompanied by Mrs. Walter Adkins, the mother of Adkins and of Mrs. Kennedy. The interview took an unexpected turn when Mrs. Kennedy joined in Adkins’ criticism of his mother’s methods of rearing children Os the police, only Baines came near the House. State police, Coles and Edgar County deputies and Charleston city police armed with tear a gas guns, rifles and pistols su rfbunded the structure, W*t ™P® at a distance in the hopes they would ‘‘wait him out.” -- Adkins first offered to give up all but one bullet and then meet Cox on the street. “All I want si Cox,” he said. Air Family Troubles Adkins accused his mother of ‘‘never paying any attention to our family,” and Nyra said “A kid can’t grow up in a home like this. He don’t stand a chance.” Speech Clinic For Decatur And Berne / ‘Twenty Decatur area youngsters registered for testing appointments to the Adams county crippled children society’s sixth annual speech therapy clinic on Monday, Miss Barbara Bailey, Fort Wayne speech theapist, said today. Miss Bailey also outlined the schedule for the six-week course, which begins here and in Berne next week. Miss Bailey, who will be assisted by Miss Anita Smith and Miss Sue Petrie, both of Decatur, explained ‘that many more children will actually be enrolled in the course as holdovers from previous clinics. Individual and Group Sessions Judv Roberts and Susie Parrish, of Decatur’s Psi lota Xi sorority, will conduct non-therapeutical sessions for the pupils, while they are awaiting actual clinical treatment. The pupils will be counseled In both individual and group therapy conferences. The emphasis of the course will center on sound substitution, sound omission, oral inactivity, and'lip reading, for those who have a hearing loss, besides other phases of therapy. / Scrapbook projects will be incorporated in the clinical work as the child will construct play items correlated to his specific speech problem. For example, if a child omits a certain letter, or “sound omission,” he will concentrate his scrapbook project to include all play items with the letter “r” in them. (Hie “r” in rabbit, comes out sounding like “wabbit.”) By familiarizing himself with the “r” sound, he will become aware of how to properly use that particular sound in words. Decatur and Berne Schedule Classes will be on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 a.m, to noon in Decatur, while the Berne schedule will be from nbon to 4 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday. Miss Smith, who will- teach in the Decatur, elementary system next fall and is a 1959 graduate of Bal State Teachers College, was added to the clinical staff Saturday. Miss Bailey is also a Ball State graduate, while Miss Petrie is a junior at 1.U., majoring in speech and hearing.

jet Fighters Attack Plane

WASHINGTON (UPI) —The Defense Department announced today that a Navy patrol plane has reporetd it was attacked by jet fighter planes over international waters 85 miles from North Korea. The announcement said the tail gunner of the Navy plane was “seriously wounded." He was the only casualty reported by the Defense Department. The announcement described the attacking planes as MIG jet aircraft with red stars on the fuselage aft of the cockpit. It said they attacked the patrol plane without warning, firing tracer' ammunition. Radio reports indicated that two planes made the attack. They said the jets made six firing runs and followed the patrol plane to within 50 feet of the water as it took evasive action. The department said the attack took place at 12:36 p.m. Tuesday June 16 Japanese time <10:36 p.m. Monday June 15 CDT). The Navy aircraft a P4M Mercator patrol plane, was flying at 7,000 feet over international waters in the Sea of Japan, about 85 ■ -mile* 9l K$rea.l Skies were clear and ceiling unlimited,— —- .The announcement said the P4M was on a routine training patrol. It was based at Iwakuni, Marine air facility on the inland sea of Japan's Honshu Island. The announcement said skillful handling by Lt. Cmdr. Donald Mayer, the pilot, enabled the badly damaged plane to be brought safely into Miho Air Force Base on Honshu. The tail gunner was wounded when his gun was knocked out on the first of six runs made by the attacking planes.

Propose Additional County Insurance

The major business at the Adams county board of commissioners’ meeting Monday centered on an insurance engineer’s report, proposing added insurance on three county buidlings and improvement of fire fighting equipment in order to reduce insurance rates on several county buildings. The Glen H. Neuenschwander Insurance company of Berne submitteed a survey calling for increased coverage from $182,000 to $191,000 on the courthouse; an increase from $200,000 to $230,000 on the infirmary, and an increase from $46,200 to $68,000 on the jail. The noted increases would amount to 80 per cent coverage of insurable value. Survey Rate Reduction The survey also indicated that reduction in rates could be acquired according to new rate sched-' ules on the following buildings: .025 cents per SIOO of estimated insurable value on the courthouse, if new fire extinguishers are added and the baling of paper in the courthouse basement is curtailed; .06 Cents per SIOO at the jail, if a 2%' gallon soda acid fire extinguisher were added on each floor, and the use of auxiliary heaters is curtailed; .03 cents per SIOO in the county home by adding extra fire extinguishers; .025 cents per SIOO in the boilerhouse and insane ward at the home, if more extinguishers are added. Two tax resolutions were adopted by the commissioners and forwarded to the state board of tax commissioners (or approval. If approved, a legal notice on each will be published in the Daily Democrat and the Berne Witness announcing a public hearing. The resolutions

Six Cents

Richard Miller Is Reported Improved Richard Miller, 15, Decatur, burned severely in an explosion at a Fort Wayne drive-in theater, is in fair condition at Parkview memorial hospital. The two other youths who were also injured in the explosion were also taken off the critical list. Kenneth Pancake, 17, of near Fort Wayne, is also listed as “fair.” Stephen Hathaway, 15, Fort Wayne, was in "poor” condition. Miller, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Laun Richard Miller, 210 South Ninth street, is in room 219 at Parkview. He had suffered burns over ' nearly 60 per cent of his body in the explosion a week ago at the Lincolndale Drive-In theater, near Fort Wayne. Propane gas had reportedly filled the men’s rest ‘ room from an uncapped line. " Dunbor Union Turns . Down Company Offer There was little indication of a I ’ solution to the four-week-old strike ’ at the Dunbar Furniture company, J Berne, after union members turned down the corporation’s latest [ offer last week. [ UIU Local 222, meeting at,the . Berne Auditorium Friday evening, . voted 110 to 52 to turn down the . company’s offer, which followed a long conference between management and union officials earlier I in the week. The wage dispute has not been solved, with neither side making any concessions toward a compromise.

were also posted in three prominent places in the city for public information. The first resolution calls for the establishment of a cummulative building fund to meet all costs of building, remodeling, and repairing the courthouse. A tax of three cents per SIOO on all personal and property items in the county would be needed to cover expenses of this fund.' The second resolution calls for a new cumulative bridge fund to replace the present fund which assesses eight cents per SIOO. The new fund calls for a tax of 15 cents per SIOO. Both resolutions will be added to the budget if, after public hearing, the county council and board of commissioners approve them. ■ Drain Problem Discussed John and Elmer Ludy, of Jefferson township, discussed a drainage problem with the commissioners, who referred the matter to Lawrence Noll, county highway supervisor. < Paul Ziircher, of Monroe, consulted with the commissioners relative to a road in Monroe for a new proposed industry in that town. No definite action was taken on the discussion. A joint ditch improvement res* lution was approved and filed on the Lewis Staub-Hines drain ditch in Union township and Van Wert, 0., county. The county attorney and county surveyor met with Van Wert’s commissioners concerning the two-county request recently. The ditch would alleviate much of Union township’s drainage problems and do the same for western Van Wert county.