Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 59, Number 45, Decatur, Adams County, 23 February 1961 — Page 1

Vol. LIX, No. 45.

Grabill Bank Robbed Today

GRABILL, Ind. (UPD—A lone gunman robbed the Grabill Bank of $9,688 today and eluded a State Police blockade of, 45 cars to make good his escape. The bandit walked into the bank about W:45 a.m. CDT and announced* “this fs a holdup.” He carried a sawed-off rifle. The gunman stuffed the money into a brown paper bag and walked out of the bank. That w.as the last time he was seen. State police, who rushed 45 cars, a helicopter and seven detectives to the area, said it was possible the bandit made his escape in a car. A 1959 dark green Ford was seen speeding from the community shortly after the robbery. It was headed* toward Antwerp, Ohio. Bank employes described the gunman as 5-8 in heights, about 165-180 pounds, between 30-35 years of age, with black hair and a black beard. He was described as “very dirty.” The bandit wore a cap and green work jacket and reddish leather shoes. It was the second time in less than a year that the lone bank in this community of about 2,500 was held up. A youth in his early 20s robbed the bank of about $6,000 last March, but he was caught a few minutes after the robbery and now is serving a prison term. Tom Miller Honored At State Meeting Tom Miller, Decatur rural mail carrier and president of the Adams county rural mail carriers' association, was honored Wednesday noon at the spring booster meeting of the state rural mail carriers association by being presented with a 180-page scrapbook on the 1960 state convention held in Decatur. 6 The presentation was made at the noon meeting of the group, which includes some 165 rural carriers and their wives. The group met at the Severin hotel in Indianapolis, and the presentation was made by Dennis Daly, assistant director of the division of information and exhibits of the U.S. post office department, Washington, DC. Carrier of Year Miller, who was named rural carrier of the year in 1960. was chairman of the committee planning the 1960 state convention, July 3-4, hailed as one of the most successful in the organization’s history. The scrapbook starts with all official correspondence on the convention, including a letter by the late Leo Kirsch, then Decatur postmaster, up to and including Daly’s final report July 8. 1960. Also included are all the WOWO releases and the Decatur Daily Democrat and other newspaper stories and ads. Crownovers Attend Mr. and Mrs. Harry Crownover. of Monroe, also attended the twoday state meeting. Crownover is a Monroe rural carrier. Also, both Miller and Sherman Stucky, Berne rural carrier, who was co-chairman of the committee, received a personal memento-from Ton Fabali, national director of exhibits, 1n the form of a first day souvenir of the Guiseppe Garibaldi 4 cent and 8 cent commemorative stamps of Nov. 2, 1960. Fabali represented the postmaster general at the first day ceremonies, and obtained several valuable souvenirs. The new assistant postmaster in charge of public relations, 34-year-old South Bend man, Robert Kellinger, was unable to attend.

Lenten Meditation (By Rev. Robert E. McQuaid, First Baptist Church) (Read Mark 9:20-29) And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer (vs. 29).’’ Our Lord not only knew the importance of prayer, He prayed. He prayed at such “everyday” times as before meals. He prayed before great experiences such as His baptism, the choosing of the twelve, and His crucifixion. He was often found in a quiet place in prayer. If kt was so important for our Saviour how much more so for us! He was God; we are men. He was strong; we are weak. He was sinless: we are prone to err. Jesus knew that many things in life cannot be solved "by anything but prayer.” Modern life has only served to increase the list of complex and often paradoxical situations. There is away to overcome, to reach solutions, a proven way; it is the way of prayer. HOw many burdens would be lifted if we would only pnay. How many cares would be forgotten if we would only pray. Yes, even impossible situations can be conquered but “this kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” Have you prayed today?

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Central Soya Will Exercise Option The board of directors of Central Soya has voted to exercise the company’s option to buy the Glidden company’s chemurgy division, effective September 1, it was announced today by Harold W. McMillen, chairman of the board. Central Soya has been operating thechemurgy division facilities under a three-year lease, with an option to purchase the facilities for $8,550,000 after the lease expires August 31. The facilities are located in Chicago, Lockport and Seneca, 111., and Indianapolis, Ind. The Chicago facilities include a 6 8 million bushel modem terminal elevator on Chicago's Calumet river, a multi-purpose plant at 1825 N. Laramie Avenue, Chicago, which includes a 2,250,000 bushel storage elevator and facilities for soybean processing, soya flour manufacturing, and production of soya lecithin and edible and industrial proteins. The Laramie Avenue plant also has a c fully staffed chemurgic laboratory and a modern office building. In Indianapolis there are a 3.5 million bushel storage elevator, a soybean processing plant and adequate land for future expansiun. ” The chemurgy division facilities also include two originating elevators on the Illinois river, one at Lockport, 111., and another at Seneca, 111. Each has a storage capacity of 210,000 bushels. In commenting on the purchase, McMillen said that, “additional financing is not anticipated at this time in order to acquire these facilities.” He added, “by leasing the property for the paH’'2%“ years we have had an opportunity to study and evaluate it. and to acquire experience in its operations. which have come up to our expectations. We are now looking forward to the continued growth of this important addition to our company.”

Unfair Practice Is Charged GE, Union NEW YORK (UPD — The National Labor Relations Board plans to file unfair labor practice complaints against the InternaI tional Union of Electrical Workers in connection with the violencemarred national strike against General Electric last fall, it was learned today. The action follows sharply on the heels of NLRB unfair labor practice complaints filed against the company Tuesday. The charges against GE also grew out of the bitter 20-day walkout by 70,000 IUE members at 35 GE plants last October. A contract settlement was reached virtually on GE's terms. A hearing on the complaint against GE will be held here March 13. Findings will be forwarded to Washington for formal determination. The charges against the IUE are expected to be filed shortly in Boston or Buffalo. They are believed to center on the violence that took place in GE's Schenectady, N.Y., and Worcester, Mass., plants when some workers tried to go back to their jobs. The union charged that GE tried to break the strike by making more attractive offers to the Schenectady and Lynn and Worcester, Mass., locals, specifically offering them a cost-of-living index wage rise clause which was not offered to the national negotiators.

Mrs. Fensfermaker Is Named Director H 3 I H Iw ■ Mrs. Theron Fenstermaker Mrs. Theron (Lorene) Fenstermaker, of Geneva, former Democratic county vice-chairman and presently serving as secretary of the fourth district Democratic central committee, has been confirmed as director of the Gene Stratton Porter memorial at Geneva, according to James L. Koons, district chairman. Koons attended a meeting Wednesday night in Indianapolis with Goy. Welsh, at which time the appointment was made. Mrs. Fenstermaker has been qinte active in civic and political affairs in Adams county for a nujnber of years. Her husband, Theron, is an employe of the Standard Oil company office in Portland. In 1956 Mrs. Fenstermaker was the Democratic candidate for county treasurer, and was narnowly defeated by the incumbent, Waldo NeaL She would have been the first woman to have served in that office. Water Department Profit Off Slightly The Decatur water department showed a net profit of $44,942.59 for the year 1960, about 4.2% less than in 1959. mostly because of the cooler summer which did not encourage the usual summer use of water, Ed Kauffman, city auditor, reported today. Last year 302.264,000 gallons of water were pumped by the Decatur system, and 202,544,860 gallons were actually sold. Much of the water is used at the plant, and 3,190,100 gallons were used at the swimming pool. Loss in the mains amounted to about 17%, down 4.5% from the preceding year. Soften Water The city also used 1.625.06 tons of salt to soften the water from 10 grains. The salt cost $23,739.30 to 40 grains down to lesS than 60. an increase of some .1% over 1959 Total operating revenues for the year were $150,189.46, up 1.4%. About $13,845 was transferred to the department for fire protection costs. Customers' penalties brought in $1,132.91. Total operating costs were $103,911.13; the largest single cost item being the $38,804.97 spent on purifying the water. Pays Taxes The unit also paid $2,028.60 in taxes. Interest on the long-term debt of $45,000 amounted to $956.25; however, the bonds pay less interest than the money draws, so the city has not yet redeemed any more of the bonds than have come due. At the end of the year $95,832.53 was in hand in cash at the bank. Another $10,815.66 remained receivable from customers. On hand were some $26,758.74 worth of supplies. Depreciation for the utility was figured at $174,592.75. The earned surplus, or total amount the department has earned since it was formed and accurate records kept, has risen to $665,077.90. All money spent on the plant now totals $745,704.18. INDIANA WEATHER Cloudy, windy and turning much colder with showers changing to snow flurries north tonight. Friday partly cloudy and colder with snow flurries near Lake Michigan. Low tonight in the 20s north, near 40 south. High Friday in the 30s north, 40s south. Sunset today 6:30 p. m. Sunrise Friday 7:26 a. m. Outlook for Saturday: Partly eloudy to cloudy and cold. Rain likely south. Low Friday night 25 north to 35 south. High Saturday 35 to 45.

— ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday, February 23, 1961.

Vast Natural Resources Program Sent Congress To Develop Lifeblood

Take Interest In Watershed Move

Union township farmers are taking an active interest in the organization of the Flat Rock creek watershed committee, since that small creek, draining north into the Auglaize river, affects most of the township, it was learned today. Ben Gerke, prominent Union township dairy farmer and member of the Adams county soil and water conservation district, has been appointed one of the members of a committee on the subject. Schlemmer, Thieme Chosen Eugene Echlemmer, of route 2, Convoy, 0., also living in Union township, was named the second member of the committee from Union township, and Otto Thieme, of route 5. was named alternate. These men, together with two representatives from Allen county, Robert Roy, of route one, Monroeville, and Elmer Giant, route one, Monroeville; two from Paulding county, 0.. and two from Van Wert county, 0., Clayton Wambganss, of route one, Convoy, 0., and Roy Bell, same address, form the new organization. First meeting of the Flat Rock creek watershed committee was held last week at the Monroeville school. Adams county’s alternate delegate, Otto Thieme, was elected temporary chairman, and presided at the election of officers. Thieme Vice-Chairman Robert Roy, of near Monroeville, was elected permanent chairman, and Thieme, vice-chairman; Mrs. Roy, secretary, and Wambganss, treasurer. The purpose of the organization was thoroughly discussed. Area conservationists concerned with the new program are invited to attend the March 6 meeting at the same time and place. A preliminary meeting Feb. 7, was attended by Milt Spence, Otto Thieme, Allen Grote, Louis Staub, and Alfred Grote, of Adams county. Spence, the work unit conservationist working with the local soil and water conservation district, was the only Adams county man not from the Flat Creek drainage area. He, of course, has the technical data on the drainage basin, and whom it affects. The Feb. 7 meeting was held at Payne school at Payne, 0., and 37 people from the affected counties attended. Recommend Committee It was at Spence’s recommendation that a steering or publicity

Seeking End To Airline Strike

WASHINGTON (UPD — Five major airlines hit by the wildcat flight engineers strike agreed today to a two-hour- extension of the deadline on their proposal to carry out no reprisals if the engineers returned to work. The agreement to extend the deadline to 1 p.m. CST was announced by the White House minutes before the deadline was to expire. The agreement was worked out by Secretary of Labor Arthur Goldberg who planned to confer with President Kennedy before the new deadline in an effort to end the worst tie-up of airlines in U.S. history. The White House said shortly before noon that Goldberg was attempting to reach the president of Western Airlines, the sixth airline involved in the dispute. White House sources reported earlier that Kennedy had been told that the strike could be solved if Western agreed to rehire 130 dismissed engineers. Western dismissed the engineers two days ago and said they would be replaced with pilots as soon

committee be appointed that the watershed committee was organized, according to the official notes taken by Glenn Poe, acting secretary at both meetings. The purpose of the committee is to organize together, pool resources, and utilize already-pres-ent tax money to solve the water problems of the Flat Creek basin. While most of Union township is free from flooding caused by the creek, still it is Union township water flowing towards the Auglaize that helps cause the overflowing condition. And every farmer knows how he feels about flood water coming onto his property from upstream. continued on page three Nel Loss Shown In Sewage Department The sewage disposal department showed a net loss of $12,014.10 for 1960, down 11.7% from, tiie precedeing year, Ed Kauffman, city utility auditor, stated today. The loss is a calculated one. the rates for sewage disposal having been set low so that the department always, on paper, runs just slightly behind, Kauffman explained. This is expected, and helps keep the rate down. Biggest factor in the loss is the $45,637.50 in interest on the $925,000 bond issue. The plant accumulated $38,714.24 depreciation this past year. A total of $38,212.70 actually remains on hand in the cash sinking fund. Also, $915,000 has been placed in the bond redemption fund. And the cash depreciation fund amounts to $12,551.47, for a total of $966,764.17. The plant in service is valued at $1,128,646.12, less the depreciation. There is also $16,191 on hand in the cash fund, $44,982.04 in the cash construction fund, and $7,388.10 worth of prepaid insurance. Plnrt operation amounted to $23,425.35, while depreciation for the year .was $20,693.49. These two expenses were the largest deductions of the total. Decatur water users paid a total of $85,003.69 in sewage charges. This was an increase of 1.3%. With operating deductions of $51,380.29. this left $33,623.40 in utility operating income, an increase of 5% over 1959.

as these men were trained in the engineers’ duties. Five Airlines Agree The other five airlines have agreed to resume operations without changing the job status of the engineers while a presidential commission undertakes a study of the dispute. It was this guarantee that had been scheduled to expire but was extended. Presidential Press Secretary Pierre Salinger said the White House understood that if Western would join the other airlines in the “no reprisal” agreement, the strike could be settled lyDuring the two-hour grace period, Goldberg hoped to obtain this necessary agreement from the officials of Western. A spokesman for the flight engineers confirmed that reinstatement of the Western employes and assurances of no reprisals would clear the way for an end to the six-day-old strike. Outside 6t the situation involving Western, only a few details remain to be worked out, the spokesman said. PlKup Bth pgh: The three

WASHINGTON (UPI)r-President Kennedy sent Congress today a vast natural resources program to protect and develop the nation’s lifeblood supplies of water, land, forests and minerals. Kennedy put into a special message proposals ranging from purification of big city air to the de-salting of ocean water for drinking and industrial use. He warned that unless wise broad-scale action is taken “we will be in trouble within a short time.” In setting forth reclamation and other water resources recommendations, Kennedy pointedly denounced the “no new starts” policy Democrats have attributed to the Eisenhower administration. “Such a policy denied the resource* requirements and potential on which our economic growth hinges, and took a heavy toll in added costs and even human life and homes by postponing essential flood control projects,” Kennedy said. The President announced actions his administration would take and said what he would like Congress to do. Administration officials said no price tag could be affixed to the over-all program until legislation is proposed for specific programs. Involves Many Millions In its broad framework, it was obvious that many hundreds of millions of dollars would be involved. For example, Kennedy called for enactment of legislation “along the general lines” of a bill which would provide $1.25 billion over 10 years to expand federal assistance for water pollution control. The President’s 3,500-word message emphasized that “our entire society rests upon—and is dependent upon—our water, our land, our forests, and our minerals.” “By the year 2000, a United States population of 300 million—nearly doubled in 40 years—will need far greater supplies of farm products, timber, water, minerals, fuels, energy, and opportunity for outdoor recreation,” he said. Kennedy said his message was “designed to bring together. . .the widely scattered resource policies of the federal government” which he said had “overlapped and often conflicted.” He said federal funds thus were wasted along with the resources. The Chief Executive said he would shortly issue one or more executive orders to improve the federal government’s activities in the natural resources field. He said he would instruct the budget director “to formulate within the next 90 days general principles for the application of fees, permits and other user charges at all types of federal natural resource projects or areas.” He said he also wanted the bureau “to reevaluate current standards for appraising the feasibility of water resource projects.” Water Needs Rising Kennedy said this country now uses “over 300 billion gallons. . . a day, much of it wastefully” and by 1980 will need 600 billion gallons a day. “If all areas of the country are to enjoy a balanced growth, our federal reclamation and other water resource programs will have to give increased attention to municipal and industrial water and power supplies as well as irrigation and land redemption,” he said. He also urged Congress to: — Authorize planning commissions for all - major river basins “where adequate coordinated plans are not already in existence,” thus carrying out a special Senate committee’s proposal “to develop comprehensive river basin plans by 1970, in cooperation with the individual states.” —Permit the government to reserve "“known future reservoir sites” when necessary to prevent “uninhibited commercial and residential development in such areas.” —Have the Senate approve the Columbia River Joint Development Treaty with Canada “to permit an immediate start on the immense efforts that can be jointly undertaken in power production and river control in that basin." The President said his administration was committed “to strengthening and speeding up (Continued on page eight)

Federal Jury Convicts Rees For Slaying BALTIMORE, Md. (UPD — A federal grand jury today found jazz guitarist Melvin D. Rees Jr # guilty of the kidnap-slayings of a Virginia housewife and her daughter, members of a massacred family of four. The handsome, 32-year-old entertainer faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment under the federal Lindbergh kidnaping law. The all-male jury did not specifically recommend the death sentence, thus sparing Rees execution in the gas chamber. The jury deliberated five hours and 33 minutes on whether Rees was guilty of two of the four grisly murders in one of the nation’s major mysteries of 1959. It reached a verdict half an hour after resuming deliberations following an overnight recess. Under the federal Lindbergh law, the 32-year-old Rees was accused of having kidnaped and killed Mrs. Mildred Jackson, 27, Apple Grove, Va., housewife, , and her 5-year-old daughter, Susan Ann, in a grisly climax to a 1959 highway-abduction murder spree which also cost the life of Mrs. Jackson’s husband, Carroll, and their 18-month-old daughter, Janet. Has Three Choices The jury faced three possible verdicts: acquittal; guilty with no recommendation, which could mean up to life imprisonment; or guilty with a specific recommendation that Rees be sentenced to death in the gas chamber. Death was the verdict demanded by the government. Even with an acquittal, Rees still would face pending state murder and kidnap charges in Virginia and Maryland. Virginia authorities have warrants filed against him on charges of murdering and kidnaping the Jackson family. Also pending is a murder charge against him in Arundel County, Md., for the lovers lane slaying of Mrs. Margaret Harold, 36, of Odenton, Md., in June. 1957. (Continued on page eight)

Scores Statements Over School Costs

INDIANAPOLIS (UPI) — The chairman of the powerful Indiana House Ways and Means Committee charged today that “scarecrow statements” about local school costs could “send the state budget through the roof.” Rep. John Coppes, R-Nappanee, said statements about a $96 million increase in local school costs in the next two years “are in my opinion inaccurate.” “No doubt those who originate these fabrications have only one purpose—to send the state budget through the’-'roof and therefore to compel big tax hikes,” Coppes told House members. “I am not criticizing anyone who has been fooled by this propaganda. It shows up at every session of the legislature and it is manufactured by one of the cleverest jugglers of figures in the business.” Coppes made it clear he referred to Robert Wyatt, executive director of the Indiana State Teachers Association. Coppes said the average biennium increase in local school costs over the past 10 years has been $62.5 million. "This is only 65 per cent of the $96 million figure which the advocates of super spending are trying to pawn off on the public,” he said. Coppes said the $96 million figure includes the proposed cost of kindergardens and post-graduate instruction, despite the fact that the legislature “has again and again refused to vote state money for kindergardens.” minutes before Coppes got up to

Seven Cents

William Droege Is Found Dead At Home William Droege, 79, a native of Adams county, was found dead Wednesday morning at his home, 2924 Gay street, Fort Wayne, where he lived alone. He was under a physician’s care and hap been in failing health for several months. y Born in Adams county, he lived in Fort Wayne 50 yeris. Mr. Droege was a member of Zion Lutheran church in Fort Wayne. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Mary Schumm of Fort Wayne; three sisters, Mrs. Christina Krone, Misses Emile and Marie Droege, all of Fort Wayne; a brother, Henry Droege of Decatur, and one grandchild. Funeral services will be held at 2 p, m. Friday at the D. O. McComb & Sons funeral home, the Rev. Bernard W. Johnson officiating. Burial will be in St. John Lutheran cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 4 p. m. today. Advertising Index Advertiser Page Adams Theater • Arnold Lumber Co., Inc 7 Beavers Oil Service, Inc 5 Bower Jewelry Store 3 Burk Elevator Co .... — 5 John Brecht Jewelry — 2 Budget Loans 7 E. C. Doehrman, Auctioneer 5 Evans Sales & Service ——s, 7 B. P. O. Elks - . 4 Allen Fleming 5 Fager Appliances & Sporting Goods 2 <— 6 Gambles —- 8 Goodin’s Market 4 Holthouse Furniture - - 2 Haugks ’. 6 Lords — — 6 Miller-Jones —— 2 Moose Lodge — 8 Myers Home & Auto Supply .... 8 Model Hatchery — 5 Niblick & Co — 3 Smith Drug Co —3, 6 Sutton Jewelry Store . 7 Stewarts Bakery ...... 6 Teeple Truck Lint 5

speak, his committee recommended passage of a Senate bill which provide for quarterly distribution of state tuition funds, giving the state a one-time “saving” of sl2 million. Meanwhile, opponents of the 1959 School Reorganization Act had virtually a clear field to lead a mass exodus from provisions of the law. The Senate lowered the barrier late Wednesday when it voted 26-22 to exempt Lake County from the act which mandates reorganization of schools in all 92 counties under a complicated procedure which puts the final decision in the hands of the people in the area affected. If Lake County is excused front die provisions of the* act, it was a virtual certainty other counties would follow, possibly during the current session of the General Assembly. Sen. Roy Conrad, R-Monticello, hinted as much when he said *1 hope this bill passes the Senate because some of us want to latch onto it in the House.” Sen. William Christy, D-Ham-mond, author of the trill, said he had received more than 2,000 letters and telegrams in favor of it and a companion measure authorizing Lake County to levy a 1 supplemental county-wide school tax of 25 to 50 cents. The companion measure also passed, 39-6. The bills now go to the House. Needs Money "We don’t need reorganization,” Christy said. ”We need money.” (Continued on page eight)