Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 57, Number 283, Decatur, Adams County, 2 December 1959 — Page 1

Vol. LVII. No. 283.

Death Penalty Asked For Yank

HAVANA (UPD — The lives of I two Americans, one of whom was* carried into court on a stretcher, rested today in the hands of revolutoinary tribunals that were I asked to sentence them to death by a firing squad. A five-man court martial in the western province of Pinar del Rio is expected to announce a verdict today in the case of Austin Young, of Miami, one of the Americans for whom the government demands death. The prosecution also has asked the death penalty fps Fernando Pruna, a Cuban co-defendant in the Young case. Peter J. Lambton, a British-born American from the Bahamas who is also on trial in Pinar del Rio, faces a possible 30 years in prison. The three men, with 36 Cuban companions, have been charged with membership in an anti-gov-ernment guerrilla band and with the murder of a soldier killed in a clash shortly before their arest. The other American who faces the threat of the firing squad. Cuban-born Rafael del Pino of Miami, was tried by a military court in the officers’ club of Havana’s cabana fortress-prison. The trial ended at 12:40 a.m. today, Sut the verdict is not expected ntil FridayDel Pino, who has not yet recovered from injuries received when police ambushed and captured him July 25, rode to the officers’ club in an ambulance and was carried into the improvised courtroom on a stretcher. Del Pino was landing a light plane on a' highway outside Havana when police opened fire on him. The principal charge against him was illegal entry into Cuba for the alleged purpose of rescuing enemies of the regime. I Two Os Recount Board Take Oath Two of the three-man recount commission received their oaths of office today from Judge Myles F. Parrish, but Lawrence Archbold, the third man could not attend because of a previous committment. Archbold will receive his oath and instruction of duties in open court Friday. Wilbur Petrie, the Republican commissioner, and William Barber, the Democratic commissioner, took the oath of office this morning at 10 o’clock. The commission will recount the Nov. 3 election ballots for the mayor's race, which Donald F. Gage won over the Democratic incumbent, Robert D. Cole, 1,708 to 1,704. They will start the counting of the 11 city precincts Dec. 9. Second Civic Music Concert Thursday The second Adams County Civic Music Association concert of the 1959-60 season will be presented at the Decatur Youth and Community Center at 8 o’clock Thursday evening. Featured artist will be Robert Schrade, brilliant young American pianist. He made his debut at Town Hall in New York in 1949, and has appeared throughout this country and in Europe, both as a recitalist and as a soloist with symphony orchestras. He has performed over major radio networks from New York and Washington, D.C.

f KL DOWN MEXICO WAY—Russian Deputy Premier Anastas Mikoyan jokes with the wife of a steelworker in her home in Moncloya, Mexico. The city is the site of Mexico’s largest steel mill. During his tour of the country, the Soviet supersalesman also visited oil fields and industrial installations.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Ike Declares Good Will Tour Aimed At Peace WASHINGTON (UPD — President Eisenhower said today he is making his 11-nation good will tour in an effort to convince the world that the United States is sincerely seeking methods to secure peace The President told a news conference he felt the compulsion during his relatively few months left in office to go out and eradicate the many doubts about America’s sincerity which still persist in many minds, including those of U.S. Allies. Eisenhower, who leaves Thursday night for the journey to Europe, Asia and Africa, said he knows it’s going to be a tough trip. But he said his doctors told him three days ago he was capa ble of making it and he believes he can do it. The 22,370 mile tour demands resistance to fatigue, but the President feels as fit as possible at his time of life. The chief executive, in an obvious reference to reports that Mrs. Eisenhower feels the trip is too strenuous, said it was only natural that any man’s family think he is taking on too heavy a load. The doctor’s examination three days ago, Eisenhower said, was his regular monthly checkup. The President said he thought he could make the journey in good shape without—and this was said with a wry smile—losing the I last vestige of what he once thought was a good disposition. Eisenhower’s disposition at the news conference was, for the most part, relative 1 y serious. He laughed a few times, once at an unusually 1 long and complicated question which he bypassed for later study. On other subjects of interest in the international field, Eisenhower said:

Gates Takes Over Top Defense Post

WASHINGTON (UPD — Thomas S. Gates Jr. took over as defense secretary today and prepared for a new congressional fight over the threatened gap between American and Russian missile strength. The 53-year-old Philadelphian was to be sworn as Neil H. McElroy’s successor at a White House ceremony, becoming top director of the administration’s embattled military program Air Force Secretary James H. Douglas, a Chicago attoney, was reported to be a front - running possibility for deputy defense secretary, the post Gates held for the past seven months after a two-year stint as Navy secretary. To Direct Budget The new defense chief has his work cut out for him, as McElroy demonstrated in spelling out military policies and budget plans at a farewell news conference late Tuesday. For much of the first half of next year, Gates will direct the

Only One Man Survives Plane Crash Tuesday WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (UPD— Louis Matarazzo had looked at his 21 fellow passengers with the usual mild curiosity when the plane took off from Philadelphia. Most of them were businessmen like himself. A couple of Woman passengers also were aboard the twin-engined Allegheny Airlines plane that was flying to points in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Matarazzo is the only one alive today. He lives in Divine Providence Hospital, the bandage over his injured eye unable to shut out the sight of the flaming crash against a mountainside. The cries of the trapped and injured, and the dying, haunt the quiet hospital room. Why just me, is his thought. Why was I so lucky? Plane Cracks Open He remembers the plane swinging away from the WilliamsportMontoursville Airport after an improper instrument approach- It rammed into a 2,500-foot mountain killing the 25 others aboard. “There was a crash.. .the plane burst and exploded,” Matarazzo said. It was only an act of God, Matarazzo believes, that caused the plane to crack open by his side and alow him to stagger out on a wing. He walked along the wing through the flames and dropped to the ground. “I could hear the other passengers screaming, but it was too hot to reach them,” he said. Stumbles Down Mountain He stumbled down the snowcovered, rugged mountainside, slipped exhausted against a tree and began saying his prayers. Rescuers found him there. Two other passengers also were alive, but died on the way to the hospital in the long trip by stretcher out of the rugged woods. “Thank God, you're here,” Matarazzo said to Father Francis P. Corcoran, a Roman Catholic priest who was one of the first to reach the scene to give last rites of the church to the victims. “I fee! otherpeople,” Matarazzo said. Rescue crews worked through the night to recover the charred bodies of the passengers who had sat beisde him only hours before.

Pentagon’s presentation to Congress of a new 41 billion dollar military budget that honesly could be said to please hardly anybody. A priority task will be to try to convince a skeptical Congress that America has such diversified and large quantities of other weapons that it can afford to let Russia build up a superiority in long-range ballistic missiles during the early 1960’5. Says Minuteman Superior McElroy brought the controversial “missile gap” back into the news Tuesday when asked if Russia would have more of the globe-spanning nuclear weapons than America. "If they built what they could, build and if we build what we intend to build, we think they will have more missile capability for the period 1961 through 1962 and maybe into 1963 than we would have,” McElroy said. At that time the solid - fueled, rapid-firing American Minuteman ballistic missile will come into service, he said. He described it as so superior to current ballistic missiles that no more of the present missiles should be built than are “absolutely required.” i Interest Growing In Covered Bridge Interest in the petition to save the covered bridge at Pleasant Mills grew today following the action of the county commissioners who voted to accept the bridge, as provided by law, from the state, if the state will agree. In the north «part of the county, petitions have been widely circulated in Pleasant Mills and Bobo. In Decatur they are available at the public library. Dick’s Grill, and the Decatur Daily Democrat. In Berne the petition may be signed at the Berne Witness or Yager furniture. In Linn Grove there is one at the Spichiger restaurant, and in Geneva at the Kozy Korner and at Stucky’s Gas and Appliance store. Several civic organizations have also carried petitions, and several hundred people have already signed. * - > I

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1959.

Willshire Man Is Killed In Auto Crash Tuesday Night As Car Hits Trees

Monroe Man To Head Red Cross Campaign Homer Winteregg, prominent Monroe civic leader, has accepted the chairmanship for the annual rural Red Cross drive, which Will be held next March. Winteregg is presently chairman of the county extension committee. He served eight years as a member of the Monroe town board, including the period when they purchased and erected the Monroe water tower. A* member of the Monroe Methodist church, he has also served on the fire department of that community. Retired Dealer October 1, Winteregg retired after 13 years as a Moorman feed dealer for parts of Adams and Wells counties. He has a small pasture behind his home in Monroe, where he keeps about 40 Corriedale sheep, including 31 breeding ewes. Winteregg has been a Red Cross Solicitor for 10 or 15 years in the Monroe area, and twice he headed the Monroe township drive. He will succeed Leo N. Seltenright, who served two years as drive chairman. Principal duty of the chairman is to secure 12 working township chairmen, who in turn secure the section workers. The workers will be secured at the earliest possible date, so that all of the paper work necessary before the county drivu can be accomplished. Goal of $24197 Both Decatur and Berne have already completed their Red Cross drives as a part of the community fund drives -in October. Decatur gave $5,876, and Berne, $1,720, leaving just $2,597 to be raised. Most of the Red Cross funds go to the blood program, to help keep a good supply of blood on hand. Disaster preparedness is another important feature of the Red Cross, and funds are used in preparing booklets and furnishing material for home nursing, water safety and swimming, flood and wind disasters, snow and ice storms, and the hundreds of similar situations in which Red Cross volunteer and professional workers lend a helping hand. In Adams county last year, 179 home service cases were handled by the Red Cross.

Santa Claus Train Rides On Saturday A change in nurses aboard the 10 a.m. Santa Claus train Saturday has been noted by Mrs. Wanda Oelberg, executive director of the Adams county chapter of the Red Cross. Mrs. Wilbur Fuelling, R.N., will serve as the nurse on the first train, replacing Mrs. Arthur Miller, R.N. The other trains will leave the Erie railroad station at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. for the Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event, which is in its third year. Each train will carry 12 coaches, ■and, of course, the featured attraction, Old St. Nick, will tour the coaches, distributing candy to the kiddies. Special Christmas music will also be provided at the station. The trains will travel to Ohio City, 0., and return. Free tickets for the children ♦ere distributed by the participating merchants of Decatur Tuesday. Decatur Stores Open Thursday Afternoons For the convenience of Christmas shoppers, the downtown area stores will remain open on Thursdays now until Christmas, according to an announcement from Ferris Bower, retail division chairman. The Thursday hours will be extended to the regular dally closing time, coinciding with other days of the week. Usually, the stores are closed Thursday afternoons. Then, on Dec. 14, the stores will remain open daily until 9 p.m. until Christmas eve for further convenience of the area shoppers.

Efforts Os federal Mediators Thwarted

WASHINGTON (UPD — Federal mediators, apparently thwarted in attempts to settle the steel dispute, looked to President Eisenhower today to tongue-iash union and management negotiators into a more conciliatory mood. The Chief Executive was almost certain to be asked about the deadlocked steel talks at his news conference today. He already has announced he wjll discuss the steel dispute in his nationwide TVradio speech Thursday night. Hopes of government peacemakers sank with the disclosure Tuesday that the “big 11” steel producers were appealing over the heads of union leaders to get rank-and-file workers’ support for their “last offer” of Nov. 15. Steelworkers’ President David J. McDonald has rejected this proposal as, completely inadequate but R. Conrad Cooper, chief management spokesman, said the companies would not sweeten it any further. Both sides obviodsly were pointing to a January vote on the final offer by the 500.000 union members who now are working under a Taft-Hartley injunction which halted their 116-day strike. Cooper announced that circulars were sent to steelworkers’ homes describing the “last j offer tor strike settlement 1 * which the company intends to submit to a plebiscite. „ „ , T Under the law, the National Labor Relations Board conducts the secret ballot vote if there is no settlement within 60 days after an injunction is issued. Federal mediators are directed to try and settie the dispute during the twomonth cooling-off period. Approve Ordinance For Appropriations The city council approved an ordinance or appropriating additional funds and transferring others to meet emergency conditions existing in several of the city’s departments. They also appointed Kenneth Jennings, a temporary member of the police force, as a permanent member after serving a 6-month conditional period. A petition for the installation of a nautomatic light on the 900 block of south Winchester street was referred to the city light and power commissioner. The petition was signed by Mrs. Jane Hurst and Mr. Lloyd Bowman of Winchester street. • The balance in the funds of the city are: general fund, $33,387.22; park fund, $2,873.92; street fund, $6,572.83: electric, $63,607.05; water works, $84,514.52; sewage fund, $9,310.32; recreation fund, $5,847.60, and parking meter, $1,390.15. The appropriations necessary to run the following departments for the remainder of the year are: S4OO for the fire department volunteers; SSOO for supplies, and $55.84 for current charges. In the sanitation department, $16.64 for contractual services, and street department, $163.79 for current charges, and $3,886.10 for insurance. All of this will come from the general fund. The transfers approved are: po--1 lice department, $272.56 for contractual services fund from the properties und; recreation fund, SSOO from supply to personal services fund.

1■ ' • 1 ' SMOm* DAYS LEFT / IKIPHGHTTB with CmSTMAS SEALS

Severe Penalties To Bluffton Boys BLUFFTON, Ind. (UPD—Wells Juvenile Court Judge Homer Byrd Tuesday assessed severe penalties on five teen-age boys whom he declared delinquents for a variety of offenses committed by a gang operating under the guise of a “safe driving club.” Byrd sent William McCartney, 15, to the Indiana Boys School until he is 21. He sentenced Dale E. Brown, 17. to jail for seven days beginning Dec. 28, and placed Brown and the ether three on restricted probation until they reach 21. The other three are Ralph Miller, 15. Ronnie Taylor, 16, and Richard McCartney, 16, a brother of William. Byrd took away auto ownership and driving privileges from the boys indefinitely, ordered them to make restitution for car-stripping thefts and ordered a strict curfew observance because of truancy and school hazings they admitted. All five refused to implicate others in the thefts although the prosecutor tried to get information on a full-scale accessory stealing ring. Robert Fink Named Handley Assistant INDIANAPOLIS (UPD —Robert J. Fink, 33, today was appointed administrative assistant to Governor Handley. Fink, now Handley’s executive secretary, succeeds Edwin W. Beeman, who resigned recently to become Republican state chairman.

Opposes Birth Control Advice

WASHINGTON (UPI) — President Eisenhower today firmly opposed involving the federal government in any way with assisting other nations with birth control advice. Eisenhower told his news conference he could not imagine a subject more improper as a matter of government responsibility or function than birth control. Furthermore, Eisenhower said that as long as he is pesident the United States government will have absolutely nothing to do with advising other nations on their birth control problems. If another country wants birth control advice, he said it could seek out professional information. The birth control controversy flared anew after the Roman Catholic bishops of the United States charged last week that a “propaganda campaign” was being waged to pave the way for U.S. support of ‘‘artificial birth prevention” programs in underdeveloped countries which are experiencing population pressures. Discuss His Trip

Declaring that this would be a "morally disastrous” solution to population problems, the bishops said that American Catholics "will not support” any use of public funds, either through direct foreign aid or through international organteations, to “promote artificial birth prevention.” The Rt. Rev. James A. Pike, Protestant Episcopal. bishop of California, said the Catholic stand “would condemn rapidly increasing millions of people in less fortunate parts of the world to starvation, bondage, misery and despair.” He demanded to know whether the policy pronounced by the bishops was "binding on Roman Catholic candidates for public office.” '

Express Interest In Saving Bridge John Peters, chairman of the state highway department, has taken a personal interest in saving the Pleasant Mills covered bridge, appellate judge G. Remy Bierly informed the Decatur Daily Democrat this morning. Judge Bierly had contacted Peters a week ago on the bridge question. Peters forwarded to the judge a memo to chief engineer Carl Vogelsang, including the following: “Will you check Into this and give me the complete story. Let’s see if there is any way we can save this bridge after the other one is completed.” Hubert H. Hawkins,, secretary of the Indiana historical society and director of the state historical bureau, has also written to the state highway department. Burl Johnson, state representative from Adams and Wells counties. wrote a letter last Friday, following the historical society meeting here on Tuesday, to both Peters and Hawkins, signifying his interest in saving the covered bridge. Johnson pointed out that he has many times seen artists and students of art making pictures and sketches of the bridge, and that it is a “very worthy and revealing sight to see.” , Nationwide attention was brought to the bridge by a radio broadcast concerning it last week. Cars with out-of-state licenses from the eastern states have been seen to stop and admire the old bridge in the past few days. INDIANA WEATHER Mostly cloudy this aternoon. Clearing and somewhat colder south tonight. Thursday fair and warmer in afternoon. Low tonight 24 to 30. High Thursday 44 to 52. Sunset today 4:21 p.m. c.s.t., 5:21 p.m. c.d.t. Sunrise Thursday 6:49 a.m. c.s.t., 7:49 a.m. .c.d.t. Outlook for Friday: Partly cloudy, no important temperature change. Lows 25 to 35. highs 45 to 55.

Eisenhower, on the eve of his departure for Europe, the Middle East and Asia, talked at some length about this trip with more than 260 reporters. He said that, above all, he hoped to convince the rest of the world that the United States is truly sincere in its quest for a durable, just peace. Other news highlights at the President’s news conference: —He said that unless steel management and labor can compose their differences in free collective bargaining, the government might be forced to some form of action which would be a sad day for the nation. Wants Balanced Budget —He spoke vehemently on the need for shelving non - essential federal spending programs in the hope of not only achieving a balanced budget in fiscal 1961, but a surplus to apply to some of the national debt. —During his forthcoming trip he will be glad'to discuss specific issues raised by leaders of other nations. As for discussing the border dispute between India and Red China, Eisenhower said that aside from the legalistic aspects of determining the actual border, he was strongly on the side of any nation that attempted to solve its international diferences by negotiation instead of force. —ln answer to a question, the President said that while he is out of the country he will retain full control over any emergency use of this country’s atomic or hydrogen bombs. He said this authority could not be delegated, but in an emergency would be carried out by him from any point of the world through what he called a simple, instantaneous message.

A 42-year-oid Willshire, 0., barber was killed shortly after leaving Decatur late Tuesday night when his car went out of control at the west edge of Willshire, crashing into two trees and a light pole. Two others were injured. One was treated and released after being thrown out of one vehicle, and the other is still hospitalized at the Adams county memorial hospital. Killed Instantly Ottis Agler, 42, of Willshire, 0., died instantly of a crushed skull, when his 1959 Pontiac failed to negotiate a curve on U. S. highway 33 at the western edge of Willshire. The car caromed off one tree into a light pole’, shearing it off, and into another tree. Preston Thatcher, also of Willshire, was thrown out of one car, but was released after treatment. Cleo Painter, 43, ajso of Willshire, sustained two broken ankles, severe lacerations to his left kneecap and right ear, and numerous bruises and abrasions. A hospital report this morning listed him as ‘‘doing well.” The three men had left Decatur earlier in the evening in two cars after bowling at the Mies Recreation lanes and were on their way home when the mishap occurred. Van Wert sheriffs police said that Agler apparently lost control of his vehicle as he entered a curve on road 33, near state road 81. The police are continuing the 'investigation, as they believe that one of the cars may have -been following too closely. War n Veteran The accident victim, a veteran of World War 11, had been a barber in Willshire for the past* two years, haying formerly lived at Glenmore, O. He was born in Glenmore Jan. 11, 1917, a son of Joseph and Mina Brown-Agler, both of whom still make their home in Glenmore. He was married to Geraldine Strickler Dec. 20, 1940. Mr. Agler enlisted in the U. S. Army July 25, 1942, and was discharged Nov. 18, 1945. He was a member of the Homer Pierson Post 207, American Legion, at Willshire, Masonic lodge 592, Ohio City, 0., the Eagles lodge at Willshire, and the Charles A. Knott lodge of the Knights of Pythias.

Funeral Friday Surviving Mr. Agler jn addition to his wife and parents are one son, Robert D. Agler, 13; two brothers, Willis F. Agler of Van Wert, 0., and Carl Agler of Ohio City, and one sister, Mrs. Donald <Lois) Schaadt of Convoy route 2. The body was removed to the Zwick funeral home, where friends may call after 7 o’clock this evening. The body will lie in state at the Willshire United Brethren church from 12:30 p.m. Friday until services at 2 o’clock, the Rev. Wilbur Sites officiating. Burial will be in the Willshire cemetery. Masonic services will be held at 8 p. m. Thursday at the funeral home. Advertising Index A&P Tea Co. 3 Arnold Lumber Co., Inc. 5 Beavers Oil Service, Inc. 4,5, 7 Burk Elevator Co. . 5 Butler Garage 5 Budget Loans —.. . 7 Briede Studio 2 Cowens Insurance Agency 4 Decajur Super Service 5 Doans Pills 4 First State Bank 4 Gerber’s Super Market ----- 8 Holthouse Drug Co. 4, 6 Jack Hurst 5 Jani Lyn _ 2 Johnson & Schnepf, Real Estate 5 Kohne Drug Store 5 Kroger 6 Glenn C. Merica, Auctioneer ... V 3. J. Newberry Co. ----7 Price Men’s Wear . 4 Quality Chevrolet-Buick, Inc. „ 5 Schafers __ 2 L. Smith Insurance Agency .... 5 Smith Drug Co. 2 Shaffer’s Restaurant .... r . 2 Teeple .. 5 Thomas Realty & Auction Co. —7 Uhrick Bros. 2,3, 4

Six Centi