Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 61, Number 220, Decatur, Adams County, 18 September 1963 — Page 1

VOL. LXI. NO. 220.

Study Budget For Community Fund

The Decatur Community Fund board of directors met Tuesday night at the Youth and Community Center and made a preliminary study of the budget for the city’s 20th annual Community Fund drive. Present at the meeting were: Mrs. Leo Curtin, president; Rev. Elbert Smith, secretary; Noble Nicodemus, treasurer; Miss Helen " Haubold, Mrs. John Boch, John Rawlinson, Vernon Hebble, Art Lenz, Justin Bleeke and Gene Rydell, chairman of this year’s drive. The board heard and discussed the budget requests submitted by the various agencies of the fund. A financial statement of the community Fund was read and approved. Another meeting of the board will be held Thursday evening at 8 o’clock in the Citizens Telephone building. At that time the board will make the official decision on the proposed budget. Rydell announced at the meeting that the 1964 drive will open with a kick-off breakfast to be held at 8 a. m., Oct. 7, at the center. Last year’s budget was $25,510, just $648 higher than the 1961 figure of $24,682. The 1962 quota whs exceeded in that year’s drive which -netted $25,733.74. Last year ten agencies were included in the fund budget. Since the drive quota was reached, each agency received the amount it had requested. The agencies and the amounts they received last year were: Boy Scouts, $3718; Salvation Army, $1500; Girl Scouts, $2553;-American Field Service, $1500; U. S. 0., $513; Mental Health, $850; Youth Center, $5000; Red Cross, $5876; Crippled Children, $1200; Little and Pony Leagues, S2OOO. The budget also alloted SSOO for operating expenses and S3OO for contingencies. The first Community Fund Drive in Decatur was launched the morning of Monday, Oct. 16, 1944, under the direction of city chairman •James Elberson. At that time the Community Fund drive was combined with the Adams county war fund, both of yhich were under the direction of Elberson. The city’s share of the war fund, which supported the U.S.O. and 21 other agencies help-

Petition Bus Service For Local Pupils

A petition to pick up Decatur school children by bus, a resolution on school reorganization, and a discussion of possible building programs were among the 11 items discussed at the North Adams community school board meeting Tuesday night. A petition signed by 27 families, with 45 children of school age and 29 pre-scholers, from the area west of 13th street, asked the school board to provide school bus transportation to school for eight reasons: 1. It is too far for the children to walk in all kinds of weather. 2. They have to cross a danger ous highway and railroad. ' 3. Some fathers have to have the family car to get to work. 4. The children would get on and off the bus at the school as a unit: if separate cars take them, there is a traffic problem. 5. The group pays higher taxes tjian others who have their children hauled (This was pointed out to be untrue — all patrons of North Adams will pay the same tax rate.) 6. The group is willing to pay for their children’s safety. 7. Some of the streets are not cleaned of snow in this area, and it is hard to get out in bad weather. 8. Some have babies at home that have to be taken along when transporting the pupils by car. Under Advisement The board took the matter under ■„ advisement. They mentioned that the state law requires the school to transport students who live miles from the school. There are 1,600 school children living within miles of the school, and if the service was granted to one group, it would have to be made available to all 1.600, as all pay taxes. This would mean 32 new buses, 32 drivers, etc., figuring 50 to a bus, a terrific burden on taxpayers. The board also pointed out that children have always walked when within 1% miles of school, they t have made it across the highway and railroad, they have made it

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ful to servicemen and war refugees, was $7,918. The Decatur Community Fund goal was $7,639, which brought the combmed goal to a total of $15,557. The Community Fund supported all local youth recreational activities, the Boy and Girl Scouts and the Salvation Army. Herman H. Krueckeberg, cashier of the First State Bank, was the treasurer of the combined fund, which saw separate campaigns made in industries where the payroll deduction plan was in force. The first report on the original drive was made the following Friday, with $2,112 turned in by solicitors. By Friday, October 24, a total of $4,206 had been raised, including a contribution of SSOO from the American Legion. At the time of the second report Elberson explained that “a very reasonable response has been made by the merchants in the uptown district.” On November 3, the Decatur Daily Democrat reported, “The combined Decatur war service and Community Fund went sailing over the top today with the semi-final report made by James Elberson, which included cash donations and employe pledges from the General Electric and Central Soya company.” The total, less than three weeks after the drive had opened, reached $21,250.99 November 3, nearly $6,000 over the $15,557 goal. Solicitors for the first drive were: Mrs. Martin Weiland, Mrs. A. R. Holthouse, Miss Eleanor Reppert, Harold Mumma, Roy Kalver, Clyde Butler. Harold Niblick, Clarence Stapleton, Robert Helm, John Halterman, Charles Knapp, Avon Burk, Brice Butler, William Linn, Thurman Drew, Leo Kirsch, Jesse Sutton, Glen Oswalt, Alfred Beavers, Paul Edwards, Fred Kolter, Phil Sauer, Harmon Kraft, Earl Colter and Francis Ellsworth . Other -solicitors were: Russel Acker, Rev. Carey Moser, W. Guy Brown, Albert. Rumschlag, Rev. Paul W. Schultz, Rev. Joseph J. Seimetz, Deane T. Dor win, Ernest Worthman, James Gattshall, Frank Kitson, Fred Baker, Ray Leitz, Lloyd Baker, Edward Jaberg and Vernon Aurand.

over snow-cdvered streets, with fewer accidents than cars. They suggested that if the group is willing to pay for the safety of their children, that the group form a private corporation to provide transportation for the students involvdi. A resolution on the North Adams School reorganization, setting forth acceptance of the act and the county plan, as it affects the North Adams district, was passed. This will be printed in full tomorrow. New Location Discussed Louis Krueckeberg brought up the fact that, several Lutheran congregations are considering joining together to provide a single Lutheran school to improve the standards of education in their parochial system. He asked for an explanation of any details concerning the proposed school site east of Decatur in Bellmont Park. Gail Grabill, school superintendent, explained that North Adams has a contract to buy the land, that SSOO has been paid down, that on delivery of a marketable title, 29% of the price will be paid, and that after January 1, 1964, the remainder will be paid. This money will come entirely from the former Decatur building fund, and will practically exhaust the fund. The Root township fund will include approximately $65,000 toward any new building necessary in the new district. Neither the Root township building levy or the Decatur levy could be" continued, because the North Adams school district did not form in time. A new building fund cannot be created until the 1965 tax year. While the land has been purchased, there are absolutely no plans in the drawing stage, nor any other commitments on the land, Grabill explained. That will be up to the new board. If, for example, a large parochia] system were to suddenly disband, and the children would come to attend the North Adams community schools, and a new building were absolutely neces sary immediately, bonds could be Continued on Page Six

City Council Approves Added Funds For Work Final approval was given by the city council Tuesday evening to four additional appropriations, two of which make available funds for construction of the new city police station and remodeling of city hall. The council unanimously adopted an ordinance approving the four appropriations, which transferred sums from the general fund into specific funds. The adoptioh of the ordinance was given as there were no remonstrances from any taxpayers presented opposing the four additional appropriations. The additional appropriations now go to the state board of tax commissioners, and a final hearing will be held within 15 days in the office of county auditor Edward Jaberg. — » Taxpayers will again be given the opportunity to speak out at that meeting. If no remonstrances are filed the funds will then be available. ; Included in the additional appropriations approved last night was a transfer of $7,000 from the general fund to the police department building improvement fund. Add to Sum This money will be added to the $17,000 already appropriated ($17,500 was the original appropriation, but nearly SSOO went for architect fees and gives the council a total of $24,000 for construction of the new station. Another appropriation was the transfer of $3,000 from the general fund to city hall building fund for renovation work, which will give the council some $20,000 for remodeling the city hall building. The other two transfers, both from the general fund, were $12,000 for purchasing land for a downtown parking lot, and $2,000 to be used for clearing rubble and old cement near the old steam plant. Start Today At last night's council meeting. Mayor Donald Gage informed the councilmen that contractor Chalmer Barkley has stated he expected to begin work on the new station this morning. Gage said that the city’s street department workers had removed some of the old fence around the steam plant lot, opening the way for beginning of the construction work. Barkley was recently awarded contracts for both ftie police station construction, and the city hall renovation. The station will be built before work on the city hall begins, as this will remove the police from the second floor of the City hall, and leave only the office of city engineer Ralph E. Roop on that floor when the renovation begins. The police station building will be constructed on the southeast comer of the steam plant lot, facing Third St.

Four Ordinances Adopted By Council The Decatur city council adopted four ordinances in its Tuesday night meeting, all by a unanimous vote. The third ordinance adopted approved a contract between the city and the Phil L. Macklin Co., for purchase of a 1964 Dodge panel truck, which will be used by the water department. Purchase price of the new truck was $1,619, which included the trade-in given for the city’s 1957 model truck presently in use. The council accepted the Macklin bid on a recommendation from city engineer and water superintendent Ralph E. Roop. Four companies recently submitted bids on the truck, and according to Roop's tabulation the Macklin bid was low and the truck suited his needs. An ordinance approving a contract between the city and the Weikel Line Co. was also approved by the council. 44 13th St. Lighte’ Weikel was awarded a contract for Installation of 44 street lights to be installed on 13th street, between Washington street and the Krick-Tyndall entrance cm 13th. There were two other bidders, but Weikel’s $8,200 was low. Weikel also was the low bidder on fixed prices on the cost of installing any individual lights that the city wishes to have erected. JThe Weikel company Is the same company that has installed lights on Monroe street. Second street, Mercer Ave., and other locations in the first two steps Continued on Page Six

Decatur, Ind io no, Wednesdoy, September 18, 1963.

Pledges To Forego Extra

Anti-Recession Spending By Nation’s Government

All Os Quintuplets Are Reported Fine

ABERDEEN, S. D. (UPI) — The Fischer quintuplets kept getting healthier today and their mother was so heartened she be gan yearning for her other five children at home. Mrs. Mary Ann Fischer, 30, her short, curly red hair glistening and her lips lightly brushed with lipstick, expressed her joy Tuesday as she shyly met with newsmen for the first time since she gave birth to four girls and a boy Saturday. Two of the quints had gained so much strength today that their doctor increased their food intake. Dr. James N. Berbos, the general practitioner who delivered the five, said he had increased the amount of formula that Mary Catherine and James Andrew were getting by 1 cc. He said all five tots were doing fine. Meets With Newsmen Mrs. Fischer was pushed into the basement cafeteria of St. Luke’s Hospital in a wheelchair for the improvised news conference. She wore green slippers and a pale blue housecoat. She said she would have gone into the delivery room again to avoid having the news ence. But it was evident that her concern for her children — all 10 of them — overshadowed all other considerations. She confessed that she was “very happy” over her five tiny tots and she told how a mother

Council Discusses Sought Water Line A proposed water line on the south end of 13th street was <jis-j> cussed by the city council Tuesday evening. At present, there is no water main from the Sudduth market south to the city limits on 13th street, and there are several residents in that area who have requested construnction of a water main. The council appeared in favor of constructing a main to extend from the present main south. A city ordinance, however, states that the entire cost of the installation must be assessed the property owners. The council is of the opinion that the entire cost would be quite a burden to the property owners, and that the city should be responsible for giving water service to these people since they are in the city limits. Fire Protection Also, as Mayor Donald Gage pointed out, with no water main in that area, the fire protection is almost nil. Hie last fire hydrant is near the Sudduth market. Councilman Carl Gerber suggested amending the ordinance to read that the entire cost would not be assessed the property owners if the properties had been in th city limits more than 10 years, and if they were more than a block from a present main. Would Fit This amendment would take care of this case, as that area has been in the city limits more than 10 years and the properties are much more than a block from the present main. After some discussion, it was decided that the property owners would be charged $1.25 per front foot for the water maid, and the city would assume the remaining cost. This would divide the cost of installation between the property owners and the city so that each was paying approximately half. - City attorney Robert S. Anderson was authorized to draw up an amendment to the ordinance, which will be discussed at the next meeting, „ and more than likely adopted within the near future.

of quads from another Aberdeen — this one in Scotland — had called her on the phone. Then someone asked: “Are you lonesome for your children at home? “I sure am," she said. “Have you been worrying about the children?” Oldest Is Seven Mrs. Fischer and her husband, Andrew, 38, already had Danny, 7, Charlotte 6, Julie 5, Evelyn 4, and Denise 3, before the quints came. Mrs. Fischer said she had sopken over the phone to the oldest three. The children were “real tickled” over their new sisters and brother. She said she hadn’t thought yet whether she would dress the quints alike. Asked whether she would by happy to have the washer and dryer and other gifts al ready valued at several scores of thousands of dollars, she replied merely: “Sure will.” A reported asked her if she had a choice “Would you have quints again?” “I told them upstairs (her room is on the third floor) that I’d rather go into the delivery room than come down here," she replied with a slight smile. When she learned she was pregnant, did she want a boy or girl? “I wanted a boy.” she said quickly. "That makes the other boy happy.”

Robert E. Van Horn Dies Last Evening Robert E. Van Horn, 42, of Monroeville route 1, died at 5:20 o'clock Tuesday evening at the Parkview memorial hospital in Fort Wayne following a heart attack. He was a native of Fort Wayne but had resided in the Monroeville area most of his life. Mr. Van Horn, an employe of the General Electric Co. in Fort Wayne, was a member of St. Louis Catholic church at Besancon, and the Disabled American Veterans. Surviving are his wife, Eleanor: four sons, Dennis, Jack, Roy and Roger, and five daughters, Linda Jean, Nora, Lois and Betty, all a1 home; two brothers, Alfred W Van Horn of New Haven, and Howard Van Horn of Indianapolis and his stepmother, Mrs. Pearl Van Horn of Monroeville. The body was removed to the Marguart funeral home at Monroeville. Funeral arrangements have not been completed. Jobless Pay Claims Decrease In State INDIANAPOLIS (UPD —Unemployment compensation claims dropped to 23,506 last week nearly 18 per cent under the total for the corresponding week of 1962. Director Lewis F. Nicolini of the Indiana Employment Security Division said there were a number of recalls to work and a few small layoffs, several canning plants completed their packs and there was some reduction in limestone industry activity. Lay Cornerstone For $2 Million Church ANDERSON. Ind. (UPD — The cornerstone will be laid Sunday for a $2 million First Methodist Church building which leaders said will be the most costly Methodist church in Indiana. The new building will replace one destroyed by fire nearly three years ago.

WASHINGTON (UPD— President Kennedy, seeking to head off Republican opposition to his proposed sll billion tax cut, pledged himself today to forego extra anti-recession spending by the government. Kennedy made his commitment in a letter to Chairman Wilbur D. Mills, D-Ark., Os the House Ways and Means Committee, which has recommended the cut. Kennedy praised Mills’ call for rejection of the spending route and said flatly, "I subscribe to it.” Mills read the letter to the House Rules Committee and askea, “What further assuffence. do we need?” that the tax cut will be accompanied by strict avoid ance of government programs useful only for the dollars they pour into the national economy. Mills, seeking Rules Committee clearance for House debate on the bill starting next Tuesday, said his best judgment is that the best way to get government income up, and to shoot for a balanced federal budget, is to remove the “straitjacket” which he said present high wartime taxes impose on business. Mills recalled that in his statement Monday he had said the choice now is whether to spur the economy by cutting taxes or further boosting government spending. | Kennedy was expected to amplify this assurance in a national ly televised and broadcast address at 6 p.m. CDT today. He also was expected to argue, as Mills did in his Rules Committee testimony today, that the best way to bring the budget into balance is to spur economic growth by cutting burdensome taxes. But it appeard that his appeal was doomed to failure beforehand as far as the House’s GOP membership is concerned. House Republicans have been called to a conference, scheduled at mid-afternoon, to adopt a party opposition to the passage, expected next week, of the tax-cutting bill in its present form. The rank-and-file, by a top heavy margin, were expected to endorse the recommendations of tlieir leaders that Republicans vote against the bill unless it is revamped to include the deficit spending curbs. Cost Os New Cars To Remain Steady DETROIT (UPD — The cost of new cars probably will remain steady during the 1964 model year. Chrysler Corp, announced Tuesday it would generally hold the price line on its new rruxiels for the fifth straight year. Other auto firms were expected to follow the lead of Chrysler, which was the first to announce prices for the second straight year. Annual fall Slag Held By Jaycees An estimated 25 members of the Decatur Junior Chamber of Commerce attended the club’s annual fall stag at the Clark Smith residence Tuesday evening. Free food and refreshments were served, and the Jaycees heard Warren Druetzler of the Central Soya detail some of his experiences in the 1952 Olympic games at Helsinki, Finland. —— A 1951 graduate of Michigan State University, Druetzler was a member of the United States team that participated in the 1952 games, and he placed fourth in the 1,500 meter mile, known as the metric mile which is approximately 110 yards short of a regulation mile run. Druetzler turned in a fine 4:05 time in the games, as he finished fpurth. His comments on the entire trip to Helsinki, the games, the reaction of competitors from other countries, etc., proved quite interesting, as did the colorful slides which were shown. Fred Shoaff, a former president, won a door prize that consisted of a watermelon that may be turned in at the First State Bank for a $5 cash award.

DRIVING AWARD — Dick Mies, left, presents a $5 check to H. W. Culbertson, 73. route 5, Decatur, as a courtesy campaign award for safe driving. Culbertson, who has been driving for nearly 56 years, has never had an accident. He began driving at the age of 24 in his first car, a Model T Ford. Culbertson was observed by Mies as he turned off Jefferson onto First street, then stopped at Monroe street to wait for pedestrians and traffic. He then drove north on First street, turned on to” Marshall and then turned into the Standard grocery. He used turn signals for each turn he made and exercised extreme caution all the time that he was driving. The courtesy campaign is co-Sponsored by the Decatur Daily Democrat and the Chicago Motor Club.

Lengthy Discussion On 'Private Alley'

A lengthy discussion was held by the city council Tuesday evening in its regular meeting on an alley that was thought to be public, but is claimed private by the property owners adjacent to it. The alley in question connects Second and Third streets in the northern section of town. Its Second street outlet is between properties owned by Dwight Davis, 627 N. Second St., and Agnes Nesswald, 629 N. Second St. The Third St. outlet is between properties owned by Richard Hess, 632 N. Third St., and A. R. Ashbaucher, 626 N. Third St. The alley was recently graded and stoned by the city street department. Since the work was completed, however, councilman Clyde Drake and city attorney Robert S. Anderson have received complaints. The complaints questioned why the city would grade and stone an alley that is private. None of the 'city officials know whether or not the alley is owned by the property owners, or is a public alley. “Private” Signs In the front lawns of the Davis home and the Hess home are signs which designate the alley as a “private drive.” After some discussion, the council moved to check into the matter in an attempt to discover whether or not the alley (or drive* was public. City attorney Anderson was authorized to contact the property owners and see whether or not they would be willing to pay the cost of the work done on the alley that they claim, by the signs, is private. Street commissioner. Adolph Kolter estimated the cost of the work at approximately S2OO, which includes the cost of a catch basin the city installed. Asks Permission Realtor Gerald Stirckler attended the meeting and was granted a request that city engineer Ralph Roop be allowed to make a survey on “city time.” According to Strickler he ig selling a property which is in an area on Winchester St., from Oak street north to an alley, and the entire area, which is actually one property, must be surveyed. Strickler explained that the area was last surveyed in 1937 by Roop, and since that time seven homes have been built on it. For this and other reasons which complicate surveying, he said, he has been unable to find any surveyor who would be willing to “tackle the job." Strickler said that since Roop surveyed the property in 1937 and was familiar with it, he requested the council to allow Roop to do it a second time. Roop had said he

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would be willing to do It if the council gave its permission. Not Competing Mayor Gage said that the council should not put Roop in competition with surveyors, but since no one would take the job, and Strickler had brought the matter to the council asking permission, he thought an exception could be made, allowing Roop to do the work. Strickler said Roop would be paid the normal surveyor’s fee, and the council moved to grant permission on the condition that if Roop does the work on “city time,” there be a minimum charge of SSO and any fee he receives will be turned over to the city. Os course, if Itoop does the work on his "own time," he will receive the fee. A petition from property owners asking street lights on the east end of Adams St. and Water St., was read and referred to the light committee. A letter from city engineer Roop was also read. The letter explained the Baumgartner sewer on 13th street was completed satisfactorily. The three property owners benefited by the sewer have already paid the city the cost of th|e installation, and clerk-treasurer Laura Bosse Was authorized to pay Allen Fleming, who constructed the sewer. . 1 Sewer Plans R<»p also submitted proposed sewer plans for Oakridge Place, which were checked over by the councilmen. Councilman Lawrence Kohne said he received a few phone calls of persons complaining about the McConnell property on Eighth and Monroe streets, on the northeast corner. The calls had stated that children have been playing in the area and the people felt this was a dangerous situation. Mayor Gage said that the state fire marshal had ordered the owner to either tear down or improve the area recently, and that he would check with fire chief Cedric Fisher to discover “what happened" to the order. INDIANA WEATHER Partly cloudy and warm tonight. Thursday considerable cloudiness and mild, chance of showers In afternoon, north portion. Low tonight 55 to 64. High Thursday in the 80s. Sunset today 6:49 p.m. Sunrise Thursday 6:29 a.m. Outlook for. Friday: Partly oloady, mild south, little cooler north with chance of showers. Lows 58 to 64. Highs 77 to M.