Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 57, Number 171, Decatur, Adams County, 22 July 1959 — Page 1

Vol. LVII. No. 171

Secretary Herter Sharply Rejects New Red Offer

GENEVA (UPD— Secretary of State Christian A. Herter charged today that Russia is trying to make the West its “unwitting accomplice” in a plot to hold all of West Berlin for ransom. Herter sharply rejected a new “concession” offered by Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko at today's session o the Big Four foreign ministers’ conference. Gromyko pledged that Russia would take no “one-sided action" during a possible Berlin truce or the negotiations following it. Herter pointed out that the Russian offer still had a big string tied to it—insistence that a Berlin truce must have a time liipit. Gromyko’s speech indicated no great change in the Soviet position on Berlin. In particular, it gave no indication that Russia is willing to withdraw its "impossible” demand that West Germany and the Communist East should have equal representation in negotiations for German reunification. “The Soviet Union is saying in effect that it will end the Berlin crisis—for a while—but only for a price,” Herter said, “That price is Western acceptance of the Soviet proposal that the problem of a divided Germany be put in the hands of a committee ot Communist Germans and free Gergermans. “We are told implicitly that if the price is not paid—if we do not agree to formation of this committee—the U.S.S.R. will try to make our position in Berlin impossible. . . . “In effect, what the Soviet Union is preposing to do is to hold for ransom a whole citytwo million human beings. And the Soviet Union even suggests that we should become its unwit-

Pravda Scores U.S, Policies

MOSCOW (UPD—The Communist Party newspaper Pravda accused the United States today of plotting a new and provocative anti - Soviet campaign. Hie charges cast a shadow on the forthcoming visit of Vice President Richard M. Nixon. A three-column article in the party newspaper asked how President Eisenhower reconciled his professions of friendship with the Soviet Union with the congressional resolution July 17 asking prayer for “enslaved nations.” •It was one of the sharpest attacks on U. S. policy in recent months. Because it came on the eve of Nixon’s arrival and the opening of the American Exhibition here, observers believed it might have some effect on the reception of the vice president. Pravda itself pointed up the connection. “This week the American Exhibition in Moscow will be opened and — as public opinion in the U.S.S.R. and the U.S. hope — it should serve to consolidate mutual understanding and peace between the great powers,” Pravda said. Questions Eisenhower Message “But the question naturally arises how to reconcile the message from President Eisenhower to (Soviet First Deputy Premier Frol) Kozlov of July 14, in which he voices the hope for a considerable improvement of mutual understanding between our nations and his declaration of July 18 which contradicts that hope? “It is possible that certain American leaders would like to include the American exposition in Moscow among ‘the ceremonies and measures’ of their propaganda week? What specifically aroused the newspaper’s ire was the congressional resolution calling for an “enslaved nations week.” Premier Nikita Khrushchev mentioned the resolution Tuesday night in Warsaw and said, “we think the only enslaved countries are the capitalistic ones.” Khr—hchev Mentions Nixon Khrushchev also said o< the Nixon visit: “I suppose he has good intentions. I cannot understand one thing. What is his aim?” Pravda bitterly denounced preposterous publicity declarations

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

ting accomplice in this deal by agreeing to the very arrangements which would make this possible. “This in brief is why the Soviet Union proposes that the questions of the all-German committee and of any interim agreement on Berlin be inextricably linked. This in brief also is why the Western powers reject this linkage.” The United States and its Allies twice have warned Gromyko they will break of the talks unless he retreats from his call for an East and West German commission to study the problem of German reunification. So far sucn a commission has been Russia’s price for a Berlin truce and the West is unwilling to pay it although Premier Nikita Khrushchev has threatened otherwise to sign a separate peace treaty with Communist East Germany. Some Western delegates thought an open break might be dangerous now with Khrushchev in a “petulant” mood indicated by the abrupt cancellation of his Scandinavian visit. They felt a rupture now might prod him into dangerous and unpredictable action. Others thought the talks should not be broken off until Vice President Richard M. Nixon consults with Khrushchev at the Kremlin this week end. Acceptance of the Soviet plan could mean a permanent division of Germany and an all out effort by the Kremlin to sweep West Germany into the Communist fold. Writing of a separate peace treaty by the Soviets would do the same thing — and plunge the world into a new crisis over Berlin.

about ‘freedom’ in the United States” and said the United States is a paradise only for the capitalists and “enslavement for the working people.” “One cannot help but laugh at the vain attempts of American officials to find ‘enslaved’ people in the genuinely-free socialist countries while about 20 million Negroes and other ‘colored’ people are virtually enslaved in the United States itself,” Pravda said. Pravda said the congressional resolution was part of a “new provocative anti - Soviet campaign.” “It is quite clear that to fan an anti-Soviet campaign can be done only by those who do not wish friendly collaboration between the Soviet Union and the United States,” the Communist organ said. Observers here attached great importance to the timing of the charges. The congressional resolution was approved five days ago. but was attacked only today —on the eve of Nixon’s arrival on his much-heralded friendship itThe Pravda blast also precedes the opening of the giant American Exhibition July 25 showint Americans living at their best. The exhibitoin opens Saturday to the public but Nixon is to show Soviet and American officials around on Friday. Mother, Daughter Die In Home Fire KOKOMO, Ind. (UPD —Elnora Bontrager, 5, died today in St. Joseph’s hospital, hours after her mother succumbed of burns sus-tained-in a flash fire in the basement of their home. Mrs. Allen Bontrager, 30, died Tuesday night. The mother and child were in the basement laundry Tuesday when Elnora dropped a glass jug of gasoline. The jug broke on the concrete floor and fumes were ignited by a water heater flame. Authorities said Mrs. Bontrager and the little girl had to run through flames to get out of the basement.

City's Salary Ordinance Is Passed Tuesday The city council approved the 1960 salary ordinance Tuesday evening at the regular meeting in the council chambers and also passed an ordinance to purchase a new dump truck for the street department, besides handling routine matters. No major changes occurred in the salary schedule from the 1959 rate, except that a new law passed by the Indiana general assembly calls for a different break-down of listings. The auditor, for example, had been paid in one lump! sum previously, but now receives a stipend from each department he handles. The total, however, remains the same. The same holds true for the bookkeepers. The offices, and their salaries for 1960 are: city attorney, $1,920; city civil engineer, $2,580; street commissioner, $3,980; park superintendent, $929.25; assistant swimming pool superintendent, $582.75; water works superintendent, $4,160; water works auditor, $2,274.96; water works bookkeeper, $1,234.80; assistant water works bookkeeper, $1,190.64; light plant superintendent $7,380; light plant auditor, $3,249.84; light plant bookkeeper, $1,764; assistant bookkeeper, sl,700; sewage treatment plant superintendent, $1,800; auditor, $975.12; bookkeeper, $529.20; assistant bookkeeper, $510.48; police chief, $4,599; fire chief, $4,599, and regular policemen and firemen, $315 each. The city also entered into contract with the Decatur Equipment Co. for a new International dump truck at a price of $3,139 plus a trade-in of a 1950 GMC 1%-ton truck. The ordinance was proposed by the board of public works and safety. City engineer Ralph Roop presented plans and specifications for a 12-inch cast iron water main for use under the St. Mary’s river. After being adopted by the council it was referred to the board of health in conjunction with the city engineer. The 147-name petition, requesting a special or general election for the sale of the city-owned electric utility was verified by county auditor Ed Jaberg and made a matter of record.

William Huston, of route 3, Decatur. in Root township, entered a complaint about electric service. He said that between the hours of 5 and 6 p.m. the voltage is too low at his residence. He further claimed that he has burned out several motors, and at least a dozen light bulbs a month because of the existing condition. L. C. Pettibone is checking on the complaint. Mayor Robert D. Cole reminded all officers that the 1960 budget requests must be in by August 13. Proof of publication for two legal notices published in the Daily Democrat were entered as a matter of record. Two Children Die In fire In Maine AMILAND, Maine (UPD — Two chlidren died in a woods camp where a forest fire was believed to have started. The first still was out of conrol early oday afer burning nearly 400 acres. The children were not identified but Ashland Fire Chief Burns P. McGowan said the camp was owned by Romeo Martin. It was not known if Martin or another family was occupying the tarpaper cabin. INDIANA WEATHER Partly cloudy and continued quite warm and humid tonight and Thursday with scattered thundershowers likely mostly in afternoon and evening. Low tonight 65 to 73. High Tuesday 85 to 92. Sunset today 8:67 p. m. Sunrise Thursday 5:37 a. m. Outlook for Friday: Continned warm and humid with afternoon and evening thundershowers. Lowe 68 to 74. Highs 88 to 94.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday, July 22 1959

Local Delegates To Legion Convention Nine local American Legion delegates will travel to South Bend Friday morning by automobile and one delegate and two/%ilternates will haul the "little red fire truck” by trailer for the annual American Legion convention. Harold Hoffman, who was an alternate, will replace Dee Fryback, who is unable to attend this year. Hoffman will assist Walt Koeneman and Herman Bittner in bringing the fire truck which will be the vehicle for the local post in the parade Saturday afternoon. An unprecedented feature will highlight the elections on Sunday when Donald Hynes, of Whiting, will be named state commander with no opposition. In the past, this high office has always been contested. Other offices that will be contested are: national executive committee post, Arthur McDowell, of Delphi, and Ferd Badt, of Portland; northern vice commander, Robert Fritz, of Bluffton, and Jack Harless, of Lafayette; southern vice commander, James Gallagher, Columbus, and O. G. Howell, of Muncie. The delegates from Decatur besides Hoffman are R. G. Smith, Ambrose Spangler, Ij. P. Schmitt, Jr., J. K. Staley, Vernon Aurand, Frink Detter, Bob Ashbaucher, Dick Archer and Charles Weber. The group will return to Decatur Sunday following the election of officers and memorial services. The delegation will attend as a non-instructed group for the elections. Voting will be on an individual basis with no “favorite sons” receiving special consideration. The actual registration and preliminary meetings fbr the convention begin Thursday, but the first general session will start Friday at 10 a. m. Saturday's program will include a band concert, firing squad, color guard and chorus concerts, and the gigantic parade, which annually attracts hundreds of thousands. Officiating will be state commander Wiliam A. Brennan, Jr. Six-Year-Old Dies In Clothes Dryer LANCASTER, Pa. (UPD — Six-year-old Parke Stanley Fisher, Jr. was killed Tuesday ijjght when he climbed into an electric clothes dryer.

J 1 i I 1> ■ •mH ■ >4 zJk B 1 QUIET LITTLE ROCK REGISTRATION—Senior students at Little Rock’s. Central High, 1957 scene of integration under federal troop control, chat happily in the school field house as registration began for the coming school yefir. Newsmen and photographers were allowed inside the field house for ten minutes, but were not allowed to talk with students. Three negro pupils were registered by their parents.

Wheat Referendum In Nation Thursday WASHINGTON (UPD Wheat farmers in 39 states will vote Thursday in a national referendum to determine whether their 1960 crop will be grown under the rigid government marketing controls that have been in effect for several years. Under the existing program, wheat surpluses have grown until there is enough wheat on hand to meet all domestic and foreign requirements for more than two years. Few persons like the existing program, but it probably will get the necessary two-thirds majority because growers regard it as better than nothing. The program provides for planting allotments totaling 55 million acres, marketing quotas based on the allotments, and price supports at the present minimum level of 75 per cent of parity or not less than t <1 77 per bushel. The program nas received much Criticism — from President Eisenhower, Congress, the Agriculture Department, and growers —mainly because it has failed to prevent overproduction. If the existing controls are approved, producers will get a price support guarantee of not less than $1.77 per bushel. If controls are not approved, growers will get price supports of 50 per cent of parity, or about sl.lß per bushel. The American Farm Bureau Federation said “it is a foregone conclusion that farmers will vote for $1.77 instead of sl.lß .”

Cost Os Living Hits New All-Time Peak

WASHINGTON (UPD — Living costs jumped .4 per cent in June to hit a new all-time peak, the government reported today.

Prices of fresh fruits and vegetables led the advance in the Labor Department’s consumer price index. It was the biggest monthly increase in 15 months. The index moved to 124.5 per cent of average 1947-49 prices. This was .6 per cent higher than a year ago. Ewan Clague, commissioner of labor statistics, called it a “seasonal increase.” “This is not a sign that the consumer price index is about to take off,” he said. Clague estimated that about 600,000 workers will receive wage increases because of the rise in costs. About 200,000 trucking employes and 100,000 aircraft workers whose pay is geared to changes in the index will receive 2 cents an hour increases. 4-H Fair's Parade On Tuesday Evening The first prize award has been upped this year to S2O for the winning float in the grand parade, “Work and Play the 4-H Way” at the county 4-H fair Tuesday. The county extension office, list-

Utility Valuations Drop Slightly

A total of 27 utilities, assessed by the state, have a valuation of $5,304,570 in Adams county this year as a basis for the 1960 taxes, $60,400 less than a year ago, auditor Edward F. Jaberg announced today. The utilities include 11 telephone companies, six gas or pipeline companies, four electric companies or cooperatives, three railroads, and one each, telegraph, Pullman, and bus company. Os the six city-town taxing units, all except Decatur-Root showed an increase in taxation, Monroe showing a substantial increase due to the assessment of the IndianaMichigan company for the recent-ly-purchased Monroe lines. Five of the 12 townships, Hartford, Jefferson, Monroe, Union, and Wabash showed increases, while the other seven declined. Decatur-Root Down The assessment this year in De-catur-Root is $92,840, as compared with $94,870 last year. The principal difference in valuation was a drop in the Pennsylvania railroad valuation from $42,880 to $40,260. Other valuations in Decatur-Root are. Citizens Telephone company, $16,670; Indiana Bell Telephone company, S9O; NIPSCO, $33,150; and Buckeye Pipeline company, $2,310. In Decautr-Washington, that part of Decatur lying within Washington township, assessed valuation has risen from $741,400 to $744,100, due mainly to increases in the Citizens Telephone company and NIPSCO valuations. Valua-

Another 230,000 electrical workers will receive an average 6-cent hourly pay boost. Higher food prices accounted for most of the increase, although prices of all major groups of goods and services except apparel were fractionally higher. Fresh fruits and vegetables cost 10.9 per cent more in June and potato prices jumped 42 per cent. Prices of celery, lettuce, carrots, apples, oranges, grapefruit and Watermelon also increased. Clague said the normal upward creep of fruit and vegetable prices was delayed this year because of rains. This concentrated the rise in one month, he said. Some prices were lower. Eggs, coffee, dairy goods, cereals and bakery products decreased. Apparel prices were unchanged. .Clague predicted the index would not change much in July and would decline in August. ing the prizes given to the 4-H clubs that enter winning floats, said this morning that these prizes will be given: second, sls; third, $12.50; fourth, $7.50, and all 4-H club participants, for expenses, $5. Also in the parade but not competing for prizes will be the horse and pony club members, the sheriff’s mounted posse, and area implement dealers. Adams county high school bands have been invited to participate. The grand parade, on the opening day of the fair, should be bigger and better than ever, chairman Martin Steiner and Merle Affolder say. The parade will begin at 7:15 p.rn. Each of the county's 4-H clubs has a decorated float or a marching unit in the parade, reports Leo N. Seltenright, county agricultural agent. The night of the parade, the bands will assemble in the area north of the commercial tent. Implement dealers are limited to five units of machinery, and all drivers in the parade must have driver’s licenses. Indiana Man Killed In Airplane Crash MUSKEGON, Mich. (UPD—The body of John M. Visa’k, 57, .East Chicago, Ind., was found in the wreckage of his plane southeast of here Tuesday. The single-engine craft, the object of a wide-spread search since Visak was reported missing Sunday, was discovered in a wooded marsh area. , Sheriffs officers said the plane apparently crashed during a storm while en route from Gary, Ind., to Ludington, Mich. Muskegon County Sheriff Arthur Davis said nearly three inches of rain fell about the time Visak apparently crashed. Davis said the plane tore up about 150 feet of weeds and grass before smashing into two

tions are: Citizens Telephone company, $273,260; Indiana Bell Telephone company, SSO; Western Union Telegraph company, $410; the Pulman company, S6O; IndianaMichigan Electric company, $210; NIPSCO, $274,800; Buckeye Pipeline, $2,330; ABC Coach Lines, $420; Erie railroad, $89,220; Cloverleaf, $73,210; Pennsylvania, $30,130. Monroe Up The town of Monroe, divided into two taxing authorities since the Monroe-Washington township line runs through the community, gained the most in assessed valuation. This will alow the town council to either lower the tax rate, or raise more money for the same rate. The Monroe-Monroe assessed valuation by the state for corporations only rose from $17,990 to $28,090, while Monroe-Washington rose from $11,350 to $37,300. Valuations are, Citizens Telephone company, Monroe-Monroe, $10,120, Monroe-Washington, $34,660; Indi-ana-Michigan, $11,040 and $2,000; Pennsylvania railroad, $6,930 and $640. Brother Os Decatur Man Dies Suddenly Clarence L. (Whitie) Balliet, 46, brother of Floyd Balliet, Mcßarnes street, died unexpectedly of a heart ailment about 4:15 a. m. Tuesday in his home in Van Wert, O. He was owner and operator of the Wright service station restaurants in Van Wert and Celina, O. He was born January 27, 1913, in Union township, Van Wert county. Surviving are the widow, Helen; two daughters, Rachel and Barbara Jean, at home; his father, Orville Balliet, Paulding, O.; seven sisters, Mrs. Hulda Dressel, Mrs. Gladys Dunbar and Mrs. Phyllis D.fras, all of Fort Wayne, Mrs. Helen Baker, Haviland, 0., Mrs. Margaret Schaffner, Van Wert, 0., Mrs. Edna Mock, Defiance, 0., and Mrs. Fred Foust, Scott, O.; and four brothers, Floyd, Decatur, Charles, Lima, 0., and Walter and Francis, Van Wert. Friends may call at the Alspach funeral home. Van Wert, where services will be conducted at 3 p. m. Thursday. Burial will be in the

Priority List Issued By Ike

WASHINGTON (UP!) -y President Eisenhower said today his priority list for legislation during the remaining days of Congress included: A bill to correct labor abuses; More financing for the highway construction program; A decent farm measure. Discussing the farm situation, the President told his news conference that the wheat farmers face a sorry choice when they vote Thursday in a referendum on price supports. He said the choice before them was poor because Congress had not provided a new support program which would avoid building greater surpluses. The referendum will determine whether the 1960 crop will be grown under the rigid government marketing controls that have been in effect for several years. The President also made these other points during the conference: —He identified himself as the source of news stories Tuesday that he was becoming increasingly pessimistic about a summit conference with Russia, and that he saw no chance for a real tax cut during his 18 remaining months in office. —He said the road to a summit conference was still open, but that he had lost some of his earlier hopes for truly productive negotiations with Russia during the course of the Geneva foreign ministers’ meeting. —He fired back at Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, who criticized Eisenhower’s proclamation of a week of prayer for the people of “captive nations.’ Eisenhower said the picture the Russians attempted to portray to the world was distorted and untrue. —He said the pattern of discussions between Vice President Richard M. Nixon and Khrushchev in Moscow next week would have to be largely determined by the Svoiet leader. He expressed hope that Nixon would be’ able to convey to him the temper and feeling of the American people in more accurate detail than casual Russian visitors to this country

Riverside cemetery at Rockford, Ohio: In Berne the assessed valuation for utilities is up to $163,490 from $157,280. In Geneva there was a slight raise from $63,490 to $63,770. Berne’s raise in valuation was mainly due to Indiana-Michigan and Citizens Telephone company increases. Township Totals Township assessments, 1959 first and 1958 second, were: Blue Creek $56,780 ($57,350); French, $82,650 ($90,560); Hartford, $150,230 ($147,670); Jefferson, $29,404 ($28,390); Kirkland, $439,340 ($451,770): Monroe, $393,050 ($387,510); Preble, $584,010 ($617,110); Root, $600,680 ($607,410); St. Marys, $737,550 ($670,740); Union. $41,610 ($40,130); Wabash. $372,750 ($371,570); and Washington, $688,290 ($718,380). These assessments listed above are for utilities only, and are made by the state, not by local assessors, who have no voice in the state assessments of utilities. Erie’s Largest The largest total in the county belonged to the Erie railroad, assessed for $804,430, plus improvements of $2,660 and personal assessment of $1,220. The Cloverleaf was second, and American Louisiana Pipleine was third, followed by Indiana-Michigan, Panhandle Eastern Pipeline, and the Citizens Telephone company, all of which are assessed at over $600,000 valuation. .State figures are added to those compiled by. the township assessors and checked by the county adjustment board to give the total for the county, Jaberg explained. Setting Wage Scale For Labor On New School The wage scale for the new southeast grade school is being set today by the three-man committee appointed by law, W. Guy Brown, superintendent of schools, announced today. Representing the school board will be Clark Mayclin, General Electric engineer; representing organized labor will be Fred Witte, of Fort Wayne; ants representing the governor will be Lester Roush, of the state department of labor. This step must be completed before contracts are let. Approval of the final plans has not yet been given by the state-

might be able to report back to the Kremlin. Emil Stauffer Dies Tuesday At Hospital Funeral services will be Friday for Emil Stauffer, 66, who died about 5:25 p.m. Tuesday in the Adams county memorial hospital. He had been a patient there since he suffered a stroke last Wednesday. He was born May 7, 1893. A Hartford township farmer, he was a township trustee, his eight-year term having expired in January, 1959. Surviving are the widow, the former Margaret Borror, to whom he was married May 11, 1913; a son, Roger J. Stauffer, Lima, O.; three grandsons; two brothers, Amos Stauffer, West Unity, 0.. and Elroy Stauffer, Linn Grove; and four sisters, Mrs. Ezra Glendening, Perryville, Mrs. Charles Lindsey, Hartford township, Mrs. Rebecca Schenk., LaGrange, and Mrs. Clara Rupp, Columbus, O. Friends may call after 7 p.m. toda yat the Yager funeral home, Berne. Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday in the funeral home, the Rev. Robert Magary, pastor of the West Missionary church, officiating. Burial will be in the Greenwood cemetery at Linn Groves Late Bulletins SALEM, Ore. (UPI) — Former Secretary of Interior Douglas McKay died today at the age of 66. He had been undergoing treatment for recurrence of a heart ailment. WASHINGTON (UPI) -Senate Democratic Leader Lyndon • Johnson told the Senate today that the steel strike could cost the government as much as 45 million dollars a week in lost taxes. He said the nation “Is hoping that the President will act.”

Six Cents