Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 57, Number 262, Decatur, Adams County, 6 November 1959 — Page 1

tai. LVII. No. 262.

G.O.P. State Chairman Quits Abruptly Today In Wake Os Criticism

INDIANAPOLIS (UPD—lndiana Republican state chairman Robert W. Matthews resigned abruptly today in the wake of charges that a speech on socialism and social security a month before the state municipal election cost the GOP many votes and contributed to a Democratic sweep of city offices last Tuesday. Matthews, 35, who became chairman a month after Governor Handley was inaugurated in 1957, made his resignation effective immediately in a letter to Mrs Martha E. Whitehead, vice chairman of the state committee. The letter gave no reason for the resignation. But it was obvious Matthews quit in the face of criticism from fellow Republicans that startling statements attributed to him in a Minneapolis speech Oct. 3 were a stunning blow to his party and gave the Democrats campaign ammunition at a time when they could use it best. Matthews was quoted as saying in his Minneapolis speech that the party should "consecrate itself to the utter destruction of socialistic schemes,” shortly after he had cited the vast extent of the social security system and questioned "who is going to pay the bills for socialism?” Matthews never issued a public statement commenting on the reporting of the speech, but Handley said only Thursday that the chairman’s remarks were "distorted for political expediency;” Matthews told newsmen privately, however, that he did not intend to imply that the party should destroy social security and that he did not intend to link his statements on socialism and social security. The text of the speech showed references to "welfare schemes" and "socialist schemes” on Pages 2 and 5, and the reference to social security in between. Lt. Gov. Crawford F. Parker, considered the leading candidate for the GOP governor nomination next year, told newsmen he had no idea who the new chairman might be but it should be "someone who has the interests of all the various groups within the party at heart.” Parker said he did not request Matthews' resignation—“l am not • member of the state committee, that’s their job.” Did Handley ask for the resignation? “I can’t tell you that. The governor has to speak for himself.” Handley was in Minneapolis, ironically the scene of Matthews' downfall speech, for an address before the Young Men of Minnesota today when the resignation was announced. Mrs. Whitehead immediately called a meeting of the state committee for 12 noon c-s.t. Nov. 13 to fill the vacancy caused by Matthews* resignation. Matthews quit about 24 hours after Governor Handley angrily charged at a news conference Thursday that the Matthews speech was “distorted for political expediency.” Some GOP leaders blamed the

Price Increases Are Predicted

WASHINGTON (UPD - Price increases on a variety of consumer goods are expected- unless strike - idled steel mills resume production within the next few days, government deonomists said today. The 115-day-old walkout is now close to the point where it creates shortages that in turn cause prices to go up or remain firm instead of declining normally. Government experts so far have not been able to put their finger on any inflationary movements in the price of steel or products made from it. But some feel that the time is now ripe for such a trend if the law of supply and demand works ’ as it has in past shortages of similar commodities. One economist cited new car prices as an example. They may not rise because of the strike but deealers presumably will reduce discounts if they have no trouble selling new models. Also Works In Reverse This works in reverse, too.

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party’s overwhelming defeat at the polls in Tuesday’s Indiana municipal elections partly on the statements Matthews made in Minneapolis. Handley said in his news conference that he, President Eisenhower, Vice-President Richard Nixon and the Republican Party are all in favor of social security. The governor had hinted, by virtue of his failure to uphold Matthews, that the chairman was on the way out. Matthews is a member of the GOP party faction headed by Handley and former U.S. Sen. William E. Jenner. Matthews made no reference in his resignation announcement and letter to Mrs. Whitehead of reason for quitting. He did not mention the furore caused by his Minneapolis speech. "It is my fondest hope,” he wrote Mrs. Whitehead, “that our party may be victorious in the election contests of 1960 from the local to the national levels. Needless to say I stand ready to serve the Republican Party at all times in its endless battle to preserve constitutional Americanism.” Several hours after his news conference Thursday, Handley had made two phone calls to Jenner and to Sen. Homer E. Capehart, giving rise to speculation that he was seeking a successor to Matthews who would be agreeable to both, although Jenner and Capehart are at odds factionally"They’re both good friends of mine and I just called them up to say hello,” Handley said. Robert light Home Is Badly Damaged An oil stove explosion started a major damage fire at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Robert O. Light, on U. S. 33 about one mile north of Pleasant Mills this morning at 8:35 o'clock. The Decatur fire department worked more than two hours at the blaze, saving the residence from being a total loss, the sheriffs department reported. Light, who is an employe of the Decatur post office, suffered a severe laceration of the wrist and forearm when he was cut by window glass as he was throwing clothes from the house. Mrs. Light was canning pears in the cellar of the house, using the stove in the operation. She was not injured by the blast. Major damage was done to the flooring in the building, the walls, the furniture, and most of the back area of the house, which is made of wood. The front portion of the residence is constructed of brick and was not seriously damaged. The Light children were in school at the time of the fire. No estimate was given in the rural fire as is the practice in most cities because of insurance ramifications.

If a buyer is looking for a new car and realizes that auto industry production has been partially halted by the strike, he may not shop as carefully or haggle for a bargain. . The same situation applies to stoves, refrigerators and other home appliances, the economists said. Federal officials have been quietly checking reports of a “gray market" in steel- This means the sale of steel by a warehouse outside the regular channels of trade to get a higher price. These officials report they have found no evidence yet of graymarket operations, however. Nonstruck mills have not raised the average price of $l5O a ton either, they added. Economists said some price increases may be hidden by manufacturers. For example, a bobbypin firm may put 25 pins into a box instead of 30 without reducing the price tag on the box. Smaller Trade-In Allowances

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First Big Snow Os Season Hits Nation

United Press International The season’s first big snow storm was expected to blow itself out today with a parting shot at hard-hit northern Michigan. Fifteen inches °f white covered the ground at Marquette, Mich., but the Weather Bureau predicted the storm would fizzle to flurries over Michigan and the upper Ohio Valley today - The storm wept out of the Rockies Wednesday to grasp an area from Montana to Texas to Alabama to Wisconsin in its chilly grip. Fourteen inches of snow fell in Montana. Deadwood, S.D., reported 13 inches, Jamestown, N.D. was smothered under two- foot drifts and Wausau, Wis., received 11 inches. Almost every town in the storm’s path was caught unprepared. Rush hour traffic in Midwest cities turned into giant traffic jams as officials were unable to clear streets and handle the rash of fenderbending accidents. Dozens of schools closed when buses bogged down on snowblocked roads. Hundreds of cars were abandoned in roadside ditches because their drivers could not cope with ice - paved highways and whistling winds. At least 14 deaths were blamed on the storm, four each in Wisconsin and lowa, two in Montana and one each in Minnesota, Illinois, Colorado and Kentucky. Most victims deid in traffic accidents. Bitter cold followed the storm s

Charles Porter Dies After Long Illness Charles Porter, 92. died Thursday at his home in Uniondale after an illness of two years. Mr. Porter was depot manager of the Erie railroad for 57 years before retiring in 1950. Surviving are the widow, the former Elma Stroup; two daughters, Mrs. Iva Schwartz of Uniondale, and Mrs. Jack Mcßride of Monroe; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren, and two sisters, Mrs. Perl Fuller of Osseo, Mich., and Mrs. Charles Schmidt of Lansing, Mich. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Thoma funeral home in Bluffton, the Rev. Walter Leimenstoll officiating. Burial will be in Elm Grove cemetery at Bluffton. Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m. today.

In the long run, using substitues for steel or importing foreign steel costs producers more than buying it from their usual sources. This added cost usually is passed on to the consumer. The economists also foresee smaller trade-in allowances and a reduction in such extra services as free delivery of appliances if the strike goes on much onger. Some- of these price rises may be temporary, the government officials said, until steel production reaches pre-strike volume. They won't be reflected in the Labor Department’s consumer price index at least until announcement of the October figures later this month. No runaway inflation seems in prospect. One economist said there has been no report of papic buying and this indicates that most customers apparently feel the strikers soon will be ordpered back to work under the Taft-Hart-ley Act.

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Decatur, Indiana, Friday, Nov. 6,1959.

wake, sending the mercury to 10 below zero in Montana. The temperature dropped a fantastic 57 degrees at Guymon, Okla., from 71 to 14, and Perryton, Tex., reported a 17-degree The severest chill in Oklahoma fell on the Phanhandle, where it was 8 above. The Weather Bureau predicted 5-above readings there before the freeze endsGuymon and Boise City, both in the Panhandle, received an inch and a half of snow and the Weather Bureau reported light snows falling early today in northern Arkansas. The Weather Bureau said a rain-snow mixture would dampen the upper Ohio Valley and northern Illinois and Indiana today, with a few scattered thundershowers along the Atlantic seaboard. INDIANA WEATHER Quite cold this afternoon and tonight with some flurries this afternoon, mainly central and north, followed by partial clearing later tonight. Saturday mostly sunny and cold, although beginning to moderate west. Low torigto 11 to 22 : north, 26 to 25 south. High Saturday 32 to 46. Sunset today 4:38 p.m. c.s.t., 5:38 p.m. c.d.t. Sunrise Saturday 6:20 a.m. c.s.t., 7:20 a.m. c.d.t. Outlook for Sunday: Generally fair and warmer. Lows 28 to 38. Highs in the 40s.

Edward J. Kohne Dies Early Today Edward J. Kohne, 74, retired farmer of west of Decatur, and lifelong resident of the county, died at 12:30 o’clock this morning at the South View rest home in Bluffton. He had been in failing health for the past year and seriously ill about a week. He was born July 27, 1885, on the same farm where he lived his entire life, and was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerhard Kohne. He was never married. Mr. Kohne was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic chruch, the Holy Name society and the Knights of Columbus. Surviving are four sisters, Miss Clara Kohne, who made her home with her brother, Mrs. Leo Gillig of Decatur, and Mrs. Anna Schneider and Mrs. Matilda Henderson, both of Fort Wayne, and one brother, William H. Kohne of Decatur route 4. One brother and one sister are deceased. Funeral services will be conducted at 9:15 a. m. Monday at St. Mary’s Catholic church, the Rev. John Gillig, nephew of the deceased officiating. Burial will be in the Catholic cemetery. The body was removed to the Gillig & Doan funeral home, where friends may call after 3 p. m. Saturday until time of the service. The rosary will be recited at 7:30 p. m. Sunday.

GIVE A oct. TIT"" > A 20 Io 27 Giri scout. $20,429.00 Salvation Army U. 8. O. Mental Health PRESENT „ „ . .. DONATIONS Tenth A Recreation Red Crow $17,528.11 THE UNITED WAY

Search Is Continued For Men In Shooting BULLETIN The hunt for the three fugitives, involved in the shotgunning of a Bluffton man Wednesday, has broadened this noon when the federal bureau of investigation Joined the chase. The Fort Wayne office of the F. 8.1. announced that the Sturgill boys and unidentified friend violated a federal law by “unlawful flight from arrest” when they crossed state lines. The trio reportedly was seen in Willshire, 0., following the feud shooting of the “wrong man.” The search for the three men believed involved in the “feud shooting” at Bluffton Wednesday night is continuing and the hunt has spread into nearby Ohio cities, according to reports from local police authorities. Donnie Dewayne Sturgill and Billy Joe Sturgill, both former short time residents of Decatur, and an unidentified "John Doe” are being sought in connection with the shotgun shooting of “the wrong man" outside a teenage hangout in Bluffton at 9 p. m. Wednesday. Howard Vaughn, of route 4. Bluffton, was apparently mistaken by the trio for anomer Bluffton resident, Lacey LewiA,who had been involved with them in a family feud at their home in Virginia. The Adams county sheriff and Decatur police departments assisted Bluffton and Wells county authorities in the hunt by canvassing the local area for the trio. Portland officials also joined in the hunt, as the men had previously lived there, as did state troopers in the three-county area. Reports that the men's car had been seen hrWillshire, 0., started extensive searching there by Sheriff W. L. Clay of Van Wert, sheriff Bruce Barger, of Celina, and state troopers from the Van Wert and St. Mary’s post. All rushed to Willshire to block the city’s exits, but the car was not found. The block was lifted about 2 a. m. The injured man, who was reported dead on several news releases Wednesday night, was only slightly injured as several pellets from the shotgun struck him. He was treated by a Bluffton physician and released. The two Sturgill boys had resided in an apartment house in Decatur until about two weeks ago, when Wells county authorities asked the local sheriff’s department to check on their whereabouts. The boys have a brother, Kenneth, who also is believed to have resided in .the Decatur-Bluffton-Portland area. All are about 25 years old. Close State Offices Three Days In Month INDIANAPOLIS (UPD - The Indiana Statehouse will be closed for three days during November. Officials announced today. Offices will be closed Nov. H in observance of Veterans Day. They also will be closed Thursday and Friday. Nov. 26-27, for Thanksgiving holidays.

— " *1 'j. * t v nl ' ~ k' yM/ I // I • _■ ' il •• ’ ** •' jr * -■ -*i CROSSFIELD SAVES X-15— Pilot Scott Crossfield walks past the five-million-dollar X-15 rocket-powered space ship at Edwards Air Force Base. Calif. Cro ssfield made an emergency landing when a warning light in the cockpit indicated fire aboard the plane. The warning came as he wgs starting a powered test.

Kil WILLIAM C. DUNSHEE, above, is the new minister of the Church of Christ, 12th and Washington streets. He has been minister of the Heltonville Christian church near Bedford. Former ministries include Lockland Christian church, Cincinnati, 0., where he was associate pastor, and Syria Christian church at Orleans. Mr. and Mrs. Dunshee and two daughters are residing at 204 S. 10th street. Mental Health Gift Collection Started “It is again time to think about our Christmas giving to the mentally ill patients in hospitals in Indiana," Mrs. Lowell Harper, of the county mental health association, said today. There are approximately 16,000 such patients in this state. Each year the county association sponsors the collection of gifts for them. The slogan this year is “Make sure Santa smiles on them, too!” Adams county has a quota of 700 gifts this yedr. Gifts for both men and women will be needed; some gifts can be used by either sex. Gift suggestions are: shirts, trousers, scarves, hats, cigars, pipes, hair cream, soap, shaving cream, and lotions for men, or dresses, sweaters, perfumes, colognes, knitting wool or bags, face powder, soap, but no scissors or needles. Billfolds, gloves or mittens can be given for either sex. Collection Depot Collection depots will be set up at convenient locations in the county.' Decatur area residents may bring their gifts for the mentally ill to the Gas company office, or the county extension office. In Berne the gifts may be taken to the Yager furniture store, and in Monroe to the office of the Adams county Farm Bureau. Mrs. Sherman Stucky of Berne, Mrs. Jerry Duval of Geneva, Mrs. Clarence Mitchel of near Monroe. Mrs. Arthur Koeneman of Preble township, as well as the presidents of the home demonstration clubs and Farm Bureau women are assisting throughout the county. Local churches, service clubs, and sororities as well as individuals are urged to participate in this project. New Gifts All gifts should be new, and wrapped prettily, without use of scotch tape. Any money received will be used to buy gifts if not enough are given to meet the quota. Last year three portable radios were bought and placed in wards in Richmond, and tricycles were sent to Vera Cruz. (Continued on pare eight)

Charges FCC Refused To Act

WASHINGTON (UPD— A congressional investigator charged today that the Federal Cthhunications Commission had information seven years ago about alleged “skullduggery” on a TV quiz but refused to investigate. Rep. Walter Rogers (D-Tex.) made the accusation as a House subcommittee investigating 'TV quiz scandals heard testimony from Frank Stanton, president of the Columbia Broadcasting System. Rogers said he had information showing the FCC “knew, or had reason to know, that there were some charges of skulduggery in ’The Big Payoff’ as far back as 1952,” but took nq action. Rogers did not elaborate during the hearing- But he told United Press International later that the information consisted of a letter written to the FCC by a man who said he refused to go on the program because of "misrepresentations.” Rogers said the FCC told the complainant it could not take jurisdiction because of the “censorship problem.” “The Big Payoff” was one of the early TV give-away programs. Prizes consisted of mink coats and other valuable merchandise, Rogers said. It has been oft the air for several years. Stanton Defends Officials Stanton earlier had warned there was no sure way of preventing the risk of rigged TV quiz shows and hotly denied that network officials had ignored “storm signals” indicating fakery in 1957. “Sure, we were wrong,” Stanton said, “I don’t want to deny that—but a lot of people were involved. I wouldn’t say there were storm signals up all over. Very few people knew about this.” Stanton had said in a prepared statement that “when gossip about quiz shows in general came to my attention, I was assured by our television network people that these shows were completely above criticism of this kind (rigging'.” “With benefit of hindsight,” he said, “it is now clear that I should have gone further.” Stanton also said Congress could pass, a law making it a crime to “use deceitful practices,” but that there is no sure way to eliminate the danger of rigged quiz shows. That is why CBS took all its big money shows off the air, he said. Mack Charges Naivete Under questioning by Rep. Peter F. Mack Jr. (D-Ill.), Stanton conceded that “looking back I was naive” in not having suspected something was fishy about the shows“I grew up in the business,” he said. ”... I should have known. I at least could have been more curious.” Subcommittee members questioned whether the TV industry’s “self-policing” proposals go far enough in preventing recurrences of fakery. Stanton said it “might be desirable” for Congress to give the government power to crack down on fraudulent games or contests carried on or in any advertising medium — television, radio and newspapers and other publications. Howeper, he said he did not think legislation or self-policing by industry could insure against rigged TV quiz shows. “After all, with stakes so high. Stanton said, "there is always the

danger that these programs may be rigged in one way or another—despite a whole squad of investigators in the studio. “Penalties for violation may be legislated, but not even legislation and the power of subpena can assure the prevention of violations—as is proved by the continuation of crime despite stringent criminal laws.” « Director Os Center Is Rotary Speaker Dick Linn, director of the Decatur Youth and Community Center, told the Decatur Rotary about the past, present, and future of the Center, at its weekly meeting Thursday night. M. J. Pryor was program chairman. Linn said that a group of Decatur young people who had been using the Den on Madison street asked for larger quarters. The Decatur Memorial Foundation spent several years surveying Decatur’s recreational needs. The plans crystallized into the present building, the deed of which was turned over to the city in 1955. He considers the building’s activity to be divided into two parts. The youth center is always operated under adult supervision. In 1958, records of the total number of youngsters present were kept, and the count was 95,000. This count does not include use of the Boy and Girl Scout rooms. Linn stated that in his opinion if one youth has been kept on the right path through the center’s activity, then it has been very much worthwhile. Part of the funds to operate the building come from the Decatur Community Fund drive. Last year, 38 different groups used the facilities for luncheon or dinner meetings, and 10,226 meals were served. These groups varied in size from five persons to banquets at which 525 were served. In addition, 66 additional groups used the Center for other meetings without meals. These groups accounted for 65,000 persons. Linn mentioned that his dream for the future includes improvement of stage lighting, tennis courts, and possibly even a baseball diamond, more horseshoe courts, etc., as more fill is made » behind the building; and a yearround swimming pool. It was explained that the possibility of a pool is now being considered by a committee of the Decatur Memorial Foundation. Linn also hopes to organize a Golden Age club for Decatur senior citizens. The coming convention of the rural mail carriers, with elaborate displays open to the public, was mentioned as another way the building serves the community. The Rotary club will meet with the Lions and Booster clubs next Monday at 6:30 p. m. rather than on Thursday. It will be a ladies night. Checkout time is Saturday morning. Jack Dailey was the student guest from Decatur high school. M. J. Pryor concluded the meeting by urging all to assist in getting the United Fund drive over the top.

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