Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 61, Number 289, Decatur, Adams County, 9 December 1963 — Page 1

VOL. LXI. NO. 289.

All 81 Aboard Airliner Dead After Crash

ELKTON, Md. (UP!)— A Pan American World Airways jet which, eyewitnesses said was hit by lightning fell in flames last night. All 81 aboard perished. Investigators sped to the scene of the disaster, which happened at 8:28 p.m. EST—the exact moment at which the grim metallic voice of the pilot told the Philadelphia control tower: “We’re going down in flames.” What brought fiery death to the 73 passengers and the crew of eight on the giant Boeing 707, which had just left Baltimore Friendship Airport for Philadelphia after a flight from San Juan, P.R., was a mystery. But numerous eyewitnesses insisted they saw lightning strike the, plane or flash near it, followed by at least one and possibly two mid-air explosions. Unsure Os Figures According to Pan American the jet left San Juan with 143 persons, discharged 71 in Baltimore and then took off for Philadelphia — the final destination it never reached. However, the husband of Carmen Davila, one of the victims, said at the airport in Philadelphia that his wife had their 48-day-old infant with her. Pan American could neither confirm nor deny this saying that they had no such listing. While four-engine jet was en route northward, the FAA air traffic control center ordered it into a circling holding pattern over New Castle, Del., to await the final ap proach clearance it never received. The jet fell in a cornfield near the Maryland-Delaware state line, missing a suburban home by 100 feet. Part of the wreckage dug a shell-like crater IS feet wide and six feet deep in a two-lane tnacadam road next to the cornfield. 'The U.S. Weather Bureau said a thunderstorm accompanied by lightning, thunder and heavy rain swept the Wilmington, Del., area shortly after the crash. - '* CAB Investigating The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) took over the investigation, aided by representatives ol the airline, Boeing Co. v , the Federal Avi a t fo® Agency (FAA) and the Air Line Pilots Association. FBI agents also were present to aid in victim

Frank Sinatra, Jr. Kidnaped Last Night

STATELINE, Nev. (UPD — Frank Sinatra Jr. was kidnaped at gunpoint from this Lake Tahoe gambling center Sunday night and police in two states issued all - points bulletin for two young desperados suspected of the abduction. Young Sinatra, who was following in the footsteps of his famous father as a singer, was forced from his motel room shortly before he was to perform at a plush gambling casino. A young musician who was with Sinatra was bound and gagged and warned by the gunmen, “Don’t move for 10 minutes if you want to see the kid again.’’ The FBI identified the two suspects in the kidnaping as Joseph J. Sorce, 23, and Thomas Keating, 21. They were armed with a sawed-off shotgun and a .45 - caliber pistol and were described as “extremely dangerous.” Sorce and Keating escaped from Deuel Vocational Institution in California last Oct. 26 and are wanted for questioning in connection with two Southern No Appeal Filed • In School Case The clerk’ of the appellate and supreme courts stated today that a check of cases filed with that office fails to show any appeal of the Adams county school case. The clerk’s office was contacted this afternoon, and the check was made of recent cases. While the clerk, admitted that such a check might overlook a case, she stated that it would be unusual. However, the local clerk’s office reported that the appellant material here was prepared and delivered October 14, so it is possible , that the case was filed some time ago, and not among those searched by the supreme court clerk.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT • ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY 4 -

identification as well as investigating any possibility of sabotage. But weather, not sabotage, appeared to offer the most obvious clues to the crash which ruined what was shaping up as the second safest year in the history of the nation’s scheduled airlines. Until Sunday night’s disaster, the passenger fatality rate since the beginning of the year stood at 0.09 per 100 million miles of flight —a safety record exceeded only by the 0.07 rate achieved in 1954. Clay Holland, a gas station owner on heavily traveled U.S. Route 40 near the crash site, said he saw lightning hit the plane followed immediately by two explosions. Robert T. Gregg, whose home was almost hit by the plunging jet, said his brother saw a flash of lightning which he believed struck the plane. Other eyewitnesses who were not so positive of an actual lightning strike reported seeing flashes about the time of the crash and there was no doubt the jet was in or near an electrical storm. Two said the plane was “a ball of fire” before it hit the ground and one woman told reporters “it looked like the sky was falling apart.” Planes Are Protected The CAB’s accident files contain no previous case in which lightning itself has destroyed a modern metftl airliner. Planes are protected from bolts by tiny impregnated strips on the wings and tail which act as tiny lightning rods. Static discharge, however—caused by an aircraft entering the electrical field of a charged cloud or by friction of particles like wet snow or rain — did cause one major air disaster, a TWA Constellation which blew up near Milan, Italy, in 1959. The Italian fctrvernment’s invest tigation disclosed that static discharge ignited a residue of fumes in an empty wing fuel tank. Neither lightning nor static discharge is supposed to be able to ignite fuel itself. The CAB undoubtedly win draw on the evidence from that 1959 crash in its probe of Sunday night’s disaster. 7716 Pan American plane was on the last short leg of its scheduled trip and one or more of its tanks may have been empty except for a trace of fumes.

California bank robberies last month. Stateline straddles the boundary between California and Nevada, and roadblocks were thrown up by police in both states as soon as the kidnaping was reported. The search was being concentrated in the heavily wooded and snow - covered summit area between Lake Tahoe and Carson City. » Heavy snow in some sections hampered the search. The suspects were believed to be traveling in a 1962 or 1963 white Chevrolet Impala with a California license plate. The Nevada highway patrol reported that “a big car” made a sudden U-turn at one of their roadblocks and headed toward Spooners Summit. It was not knowh if that car fit the description of the suspect’s car. The kidnaping was first reported by Gene Evans, a spokesman for Harrah’s Club at Stateline's- south shore, a plush gambling resort area near the Nevada - California state line. Evans said the kidnaping occurred at a motel on the California side shortly before the young singer was scheduled to make his appearance at the Casino lounge at 10 p.m., PST (l-a-tn., EST hjonday). Frank Sinatra Sr., and the young singer’s mother, Nancy, were notified immediately. The elder Sinatra departed from Palm Springs for Tahoe in his private plane, and his former wife said she was "keeping her phone open” in Los Angeles in case the kidriapers called. Evans said young Sinatra and John Foss, a trumpet player with the Tommy Dorsey band, were in their motel room when someone knocked at the door. Foss said Sinatra asked who» was there, and a voice replied: “Room service.”

William H. Zwick I Is Member Os Firm | William H. Zwick William H. Zwick, 25, is now affiliated with the Zwick funeral home, 520 N. Second street. He is in association in the business with his father, Robert J. Zwick, and Dean E. Boltz. Zwick is a 1956 graduate of Decatur high school, where he was a member for three years of the Decatur golf team, first in the school's history. In 1960 he received his A. B. degree in business from Valparaiso University, and in September was graduated from the Indianapolis College of Mortuary Science. He represents the third generation of the Zwick family to serve as a funeral director in the Decatur area. His grandfather, also named William H. Zwick, was one of the founders of the’ firm in 1901. Zwick is an airman first class in the Indiana Air National Guard, and served overseas for nine months with the 122nd tactical fighter wing during the Berlin crisis two years ago. He is a member of the Zion Lutheran church, and is presently serving as deacon, and holds memberships in Theta Chi national fraternity and the Decatur Jaycees, where he serves on the board of directors. The Zwick funeral home holds membership in the National Funeral Directors association, the Indiana funeral directors association, and the order of the Golden Rule The. latter is a contrblledrfierribership affiliation of funeral directors with more than 1,000 members on five continents. The Zwick funeral home is presently completing a renovation and addition which is improving its ability to serve its patrons comfortably and well. 700 Gifts Donated For Mentally 111 Thirteen large cartons, containing approximately 700 gifts, were delivered Saturday to the Richmond state hospital for the mentally ill who reside there, by Richard Forman of Bag Service, Inc. The large accumlation of gifts came about through the generosity of Adams county residents who participated in the Christmas project of the Indiana mental health association to help provide Christmas gifts for patients in mental hospitals. Mrs. Sherman Stucky, president of the local chapter of the Association, had as her assistants in the drive, the following: Mrs. Robert Boch, Decatur: Mrs. Roger Von Gunten, Berne: Mrs. Paul Zurcher, Monroe; and Miss Dorothy La Rue, Geneva. The five stated jointly, “We heartily thank everyone who helped to make this Christmas season a bright spot in the lives of the patients at the hospital.” They thanked also the county newspapers, Decatur Daily Democrat, Berne Witness and Geneva Herald for their cooperation in giving such “splendid publicity to the project,” Thanks also were extended to the merchants who contributed and to all individuals who participated 'in any way to make the project a success. —nTOTmiuwii-irmt-.•mrnwvM SHOPPING LEFT H CHRISTMAS SEALS fight TB and other RESPIRATORY DISEASES ■H

Decatur, Indiana, Monday, December 9, 1963.

Studebaker To Shut Down South Bend’s Automotive Assembly Lines Tuesday

1116 Students Take I | Scholarship Tests | A total of 116 seniors from Adams, Wells, and Jay counties completed the SAT test (scholastic aptitude test) in the gymnasium of Decatur high school Saturday, Hugh J. Andrews, supervisor of the test, said today. Three proctors were assigned to assist Andrews — Mrs. Dorothy Schnepf, Tony Kelly, and Deane T. Dorwin. This was the first year the test was given in Adams county; before, the groups went to Fort Wayne. Every Adams county high school had students participating, an d 4 the majority of the students were from this county. The test serves several purposes: it 'is the nett step for a finalist in the national merit scholarship program, scholarship consideration at any Indiana college or university, and as a basic requirement for entry to most middle west colleges and universities. The actual test - took three hours, with an additional half-hour of directions and details. While most completed by noon, a number took additional segments 'in the afternoon. The latter session included writing samples, and achievement tests in a number of afeas Including math, social science, English, and foreign languages. Some of the students didn’t finish until .5:30 p.m. Saturday. Operating Deficit Shown By Hospital After five straight months of large cash gains, the Adams county memorial hospital had a month of reckoning in November, showing a cash loss of $2,200.16 for the month, Thurman I. Drew, hospital administrator, announced today. The hospital still has a large cash gain for the year, however, and barring a most unusual calamity, win close out the year with its largest gain. The hospital has not used tax funds to operate for several years, and this past year has even cut its maintenance levy, whcih has been used to refurnish the hospital and the new addition. A total of was deposited in November, and $13,061.04 spent on bills, while the payroll totaled $21,653.54. An op erating cash balance of $26,650.81 remains. There were 203 patients admitted, and 47 babies born during November. This compares with 187 admissions and 47 births a year ago, and 221 admissions and 65 births last month. Twelve patients died, and two babies died, compared with nine deaths last year, and nine last month. The patient load was reduced from 61 adults and 10 babies to 29 adults and nine babies on Dec. 1. One set of twins were among the 47 births, which included 21 boys and 26 girls. There were 387 people treated as out-patients through the x-ray, laboratory, and emergancy rooms. This compares with 378 last month, and 282 a year ago, 240 in 1961, and 186 in 1960. The increase in , out-patient use is partly responsible for the improved cash position of the hospital. ♦ INDIANA WEATHER Snow flurries tonight with local amounts to near four inches near Lake Michigan. A little colder tonight. Tuesday partly cloudy and cold, chance of a few snow flurries near Lake Michigan. Low tonight 15 to 25. High Tuesday 27 to 32. Sunset today 5:20 p.m. Sunrise Tuesday 7:55 a.m. Outlook for Wednesday: Mostly cloudy and a little warmer with snow or rain likely. Lows 25 to 2s. Highs 34 to 42.

DETROIT (UPD—Studebaker Corp, will shut down its South Bend, Ind., automotive assembly lines Tuesday, ending more than 61 years as a major automotive producer; it was learned today. , However, there were indications Studebaker would continue car production in Canada and market the cars in the United States. - The company is not dead. Studebaker recently has lost money on its automotive operation but 12 other divisions are operating at a profit, company Sources said. They will continue. ' President Byers A. Burlingame and top company officials were in New York today for a board meeting. The executives met in South Bend with United Auto Workers Union officials over the weekend to discuss the fate of about 5,000 workers who will lose their jobs as a result of the move. '• Burlingame was expected to announce the demise of Studebaker’s auto operations Tuesday. The company has a rich transportation hist o r y that traces its roots all the way to covered wagon days. Burlingame was unavailablefor comment in New York as ■were other top executives in South Bend. However, reliable sources here said the announcement would be made in New York Tuesday. The demise of Studebaker will reduce to four the number of major auto firms—General Motors, Ford, Chrysler and American Motors. The automotive division of the company has been a money loser since 1959. That was its best year when it got the jump on the rest of the inlustry with a compact car and the corporation earned $28.5 million. However, Burlingame, in his first statement of policy since taking over the company, said early this month the other 12 divisions of the highly diversified corporation are operating at a profit this year. Studebaker finished 1960-61-62 in the black but the automotive division operated at a loss. Last year, Studebaker posted earnings of $2.56 million on sales of $365.45 million. During the first nine months of the current year, sales totaled $302.6 million, up from $250.9 million during the same period last year. However, net losses for the first nine months of the year totaled $9.83 million compared with $4.49 million for the same period last year. In his first statement of policy, Burlingame announced stringent economy measures to lower the break-even point of the division. Included was the layoff of more, than 2,000 employes, curtailment of bidding on defense contracts, beefing up the field sales force and cost reductions in all phases of Studebaker home office operation. Burlingame then indicated more layoffs were pending. Since 1961 the corporation has received about S2OO million in military contracts, mostly for trucks. The firm still has to make deliveries on some of the contracts. Studebaker? merged with the Packard Motor Car C 6. in 1954 when the automotive Big Three —General Motors, Ford and Chrysler—became too successful for some smaller companies. < Hudson and Nash also merged with American Motors Corp, and under the head of now Michigan Gov. George Romney turned the corner and now is a ° highly profitable auto firm. The troubles of Studebaker go back to 1961 when Sherwood Egbert took over as president. He was brought in to scotch the sagging automotive car sales which had dropped from a high of 136.000 in 1959 to 105000 units in 1960 when the Big 'Diree showed with the compact cars. Sales dropped to 74,000 in 1961 and then bounced to 80,000 in 1962. • However, sales have been about 17 per cent below last - year’s pace this year. During the first 11 months of the current year, Studebaker built only about 65,000 cars—about what industry leader Chevrolet turns out in a week. During the sec(Continued on Page Eight) ”

/ . . , , - -. ■ :• • > r—*• T’ ■ SBkhMwi HV HRraH. WAITING FOR SANTA— Pictured above is a portion of the crowd waiting to board one of the Santa Clatts trains Saturday at the Erie Lackawanna railroad station here. Several thousand youngsters and adults took advantage of the three rides, sponsored by the retail division of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce. traveling to Ohio City. 0., and returning, accompanied by Santa Claus and Bozo the clown.

School Christinas Program On Sunday A portion of the annual Decatur high school Christmas program, which will be held Sunday, was announced this morning by principal Hugh J. Andrews. The Christmas program will be held in the school auditorium, beginning at 4 o’clock Sunday afterstory of the Nativity as told in noon. “The Song of Christmas,” the story of the Nativity as told in Christmas songs, Biblical verses and tableaux, will be presented in a combined effort by the music, art and speech departments of the school. The program will open with a medley of carols played by the brass ensemble, followed by a candlelight processional by the high school choir. Seven tableaux on stage, accompanied by the choir and narrator, will be presented as scenes in the story of the Nativity. . The complete program wifi be announced within the next few days, Andrews explained. = Miss Helen Haubold,' Hubert’ Feasel and Tony A. Kelly are in | charge of preliminary plans. Plan Commission Meeting Canceled i A meeting of the Adams county planning commission, scheduled this morning, was called off when the representative of Metropolitan Planners, Inc., could not be present. The company will contact com-1 mission attorney Lewis L. Smith 3 Thursday, and set a new date. j * A group representing the De-J catur EUB church, consisting of! Earl Fuhrman, Elmer Winteregg, j Jr., and C. W. Kent, appeared’ before the commissioners, since! the planning board didn’t meet, 1 and asked if a road was planned; through the land purchased by: the church just west of town. - Stanley Arnold, who has represented the commissioners on the planning board since it was first organized, explained that a tentative plan by Metropolitan did include an extension of the black-topped road which runs along the west side of the golf course, and terminates at 224 and at the Hanna-Nuttman road blockade. This was envisioned by Metres politan Planners as part of the circumburban route around Decatur; however, it was merely a tentative plan to get discussion started! Arnold pointed out that most members of the board seem to favor a point further west, perhaps on the west side of the Catholic cemetery. At any rate, Arnold added, he will be happy to contact the group ao that the church's plans can be taken into consideration before any final plans are erfo ated and acted upon: . ;

. 2 . ' 1—: -— i—Good Fellows Club Needs Help Os All

By A Good Fellow » For a few hours, at least, Christmas will divert our attention from worries around the globe to the little town of Bethlehem. Thoughts of peace and cheer well up when we contemplate the quiet hillside village when Jesus was born. ■ Such peace and cheer we wish for. all members of the human race, especially those in our own neighborhood who dread Christmas loneliness — widows and widowers, those who have experienced unemployment, too small a pension, or other unfortunate circumstances. Neighborliness thrives in small communities like- ours. While city dwellers may not know by name the people next door or across the street, residents of smaller towns make it their business to be good neighbors. The Good Fellows club is work- _ ing hard to promote this neighboril’ness! They need ony the assistance of the community to continue its contributions. Need Contributions - It is only through the generosity of many individuals, civic

I To Revamp Office, | Hallway At Jail

3 The county commissioners today J contracted with Anderson Indus--3 tries to revamp the office and 3 hallway at the jail, and to install ■ a steel door between the hallway Sand the residence by a unanimous J vote following a full discussion of 3 the work to be done. j Anderson appeared before the 2commission, and explained that 3his proposal contained the highest •S amounts he figured it would take, and that wherever he can do a good job for less, he will. The new office will include a desk with two steel cabinets for legal-size papers, a safe, rebuilding of a lavatory, and work on the hallway, and several new doors including the steel door, to replace a present wooden one, which is in bad condition. The door will separate the sheriff's living quarters from the hallway to the prison area. Will Make Good Anderson pointed out that if the commissioners or sheriff are in any way dissatisfied with his work he will do it over, labor and material free. This would be the first‘business that Anderson Industries has done with the commissioners, he stated. The part that was awarded to Anderson was part of a larger job on the living quarters at the jail. However, since that would involve letting bids, and since the sheriff’s

SEVEN CENTS

and social organizations, schools, industries, and business men and, women, that we are able to give a little happiness to the less fortunate at Christmas. The club is asking that only used toys, in good condition, be turned in, as facilities and manpower are not available for repairs. These may be taken to the fire house. Canned food is needed, and may be donated at any school in the city, where special boxes are now available. ' Monetary contributions will be accepted by Miss Rosemary Spangler, Decatur route 2, or at any of the Good Fellows club boxes at the First State Bank, Holthouse drug store arid the Decatur Daily Democrat. Anyone wishing to add the name pf a needy family may do so .by calling Mrs. Henry Neireiter, phone 3-2525. ’ * This is strictly a community affair and the success of the Good Fellows depends entirely' on the local citizens of our neighborhood. It is through your generosity that all our neighbors may experience a pleasant moment at Christmas.

family didn't want the house torn up over Christmas, the commissioners decided to let the part of the contract dealing with the office and hallway to Anderson now, and then let bids on the rest later. Wiring and plumbing will be extra. Delmore Wechter, of Blue Creek township, will be contacted for the wiring, Anderson stated, and Lamar Builders will sub-con-tract for the labor, with Anderson Industries furnishing the material. Peterson Bridge Stanley Arnold and Hugo Boerger reported that Baker and Schultz poured the south side of the Peterson bridge this morning, and that the north side was {loured a week ago. They plan to ditch the creek after the construction is completed.' The commiaaioners also pointed out that all claims against the county for this year must be in by Dec: 17, so that they may be allowed on December 23. the final meeting of the year, ‘ Any claims carried, over may fail to have appropriated sums. pirii WXaA a——————— \ a tor nt<n ruartCG The Hawk Construction Co. still hasn’t started work on the elevator shaft, although a month ago they stated nthat they were ready to start then. Ope ftf the commissioners reported that they (Continued on Page Three)