Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 61, Number 292, Decatur, Adams County, 12 December 1963 — Page 1

VOL. LXI. NO. 292.

Christmas Gift Mailing Lagging

The flow of Christmas cards is running about the same as a year ago, but the mailing of . Christmas gifts is lagging somewhat, postmaster John Boch stated this morning. While the number of pieces of letter mail is now over 10,000, compared to a normal, nonChristmas season day of 4,5000, mail of regular packages is down. Boch suggests that all gift parcels to distant points be sent air mail from now on. Open Longer Hours j To speed Christmas mails, the# Decatur post office letter window ~ will be open from 8 a. m. until 6 p. m., instead of the present 9 a. m. to 5:30 p. m., and on Saturday, Dec. 21, the post office will be open from 8 a. m. until 4 p.m., instead of the usual Saturday .9-12 hours. All Christmas mail should be dispatched by that time, Boch warned. The Decatur sub-station at Holt-house-on-the-Highway is open daily now from 7:30 a. m. until 9 p. m. for stamps and packages for the added convenience of postal patrons, he said. Wrap Packages Securely Speaking about Christmas gift packages, the postmaster said, “I cannot emphasize too strongly the vital need for packing and wrapping your Christmas gifts securely. Pack all your gifts in sturdy cartons, wrap them with heavy paper, and tie them securely with strong cord. It is sometimes hard to understand why people will be so careless about putting valuable Christmas gifts into the mails in flimsy boxes and loosely wrapped packages. Many of these poorly wrapped gifts simply cannot stand the necessary handling, and thus cause much delay and disappointment all around.” The postmaster further suggests that it is best to print the recipient’s full name, street address, city, and ZIP code number and state on all mailing labels, making sure to include an extra label inside gift packages. Correcting Addresses “If you’ll send all your Christmas cards by first class mail, using the new five cent Christ mas tree stamps, and include your name and address on the envelopes, you’ll help your friends to keep their mailing lists up-to-date. Further, you are assured that any cards that cannot be delivered will be returned to you for corrected addresses. “K you wish to enclose your Christmas card or letter in your

Indianapolis Wheel Tax Is Held Valid

INDIANAPOLIS (UPD—Marion Circuit Judge John L. Niblack today upheld, the legality of a 1963 law establishing a “wheel tax" for the first time in Indiana. The tax affects only residents of Marion County, including the capital city of Indianapolis, who must pay $lO a year per car beginning next month to finance construction of thoroughfares. "It is true that this is a local act as commonly understood, in that Marion County residents will be required by the legislature to buiild thoroughfare highways which will benefit their neighbors in Indiana as much, if not. more, than local automobile owners," Niblack said in his ruling. "It is also true that our constitution of 1851 forbids local acts. However, in the last 112 years, a ipultitude of local and special acts have been passed by our General Assembly sitting as town council for all our cities—acts limited to single cities or counties by population or class,” Niblack said. Cites Heavy Levies “It is also true.” Niblack said, "that Marion County motor vehicle owners who now must buy one state license plate ,to use the roads will also , have to buy a second license each year to use their own streets.” ' ' “This theory of double taxation has also been upheld by our Indiana Supreme Court as ’ lawful use of the excise taxing power,” Niblack said. He said that car owners next year must pay a sales tax of two per cent when they buy a car, a state license plate tax, a local thoroughfare tax. a federal gasoline tax of four cents a gallon, a state gasoline tax of six cents a gallon and buy a driver’s li-

Decatur Stores Open Every Night Until 9 p.m.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

gift package, merely add the appropriate letter postage to the . postage for the package itself and indicate the presence of a letter or Christmas card inside the package.” The postmaster expressed his thanks for the fine public cooperation to date and said, “If you’ll just follow these simple requirements, it’s sure to be a much merrier Christmas for everybody.” Follow These Rules a “Don’t mail money in ChristOQas gifts or parcels. Use postal •jpdhey orders or checks. '‘lnsure your gift parcels. Register letters of real value. “Parcels containing delicate gifts must be marked ‘Fragile’, and food stuffs should be marked ‘Perishable’ if they are subject to spoilage. \ “Be sure your Christmas card and gift mailing lists are up-to-date. “Wrap your Christmas gifts se(Continued on Page Eight) Girl Seoul Cabin Break-ins Reported Two break-ins at the Girl Scout cabin in Hanna-Nuttman park have been reported to the city police in the past two days. Mrs. Ben Eichenauer, 1015 Master Drive, reported Tuesday morning that sometime over the weekend someone had pried a shutter on a window on the north side of the building open, to reach in and unlock the shutter. The only items that were found missing were a long-hanclled axe and a short-handled axe-hatchet, valued at a total of sls. Wednesday evening, Mrs. Eichenauer found the cabin had* been entered again, and contacted the city police. Entry was gained through the same window that had been entered over the weekend, as repairs hadn’t been made as yet. Stolen this time were two cots and three tents that were wrapped in green-colored carrying bags. Each tent was valued at $36.50, as they were nearly new, having been used only once or twice ■ each. —— A cabinet in the cabin was ransacked, but nothing of value was believed missing. The city police are continuing investigation of the two break-ins.

cense not to mention off-street parking tax, meter fees for use of the public highway, overtime parking tickets, property tax and in many cases a front-foot Barrett Law tax to help pay for streets. •. Walter Roop Dies Suddenly Today Walter G. Roop, 64, proprietor of Roop’s Grocery on South 11th street from 1928 until 1952, died suddenly at his cottage at Rome City of a heart attack at 9 a.m. today. Roop, who has been living at 1305 Taylor street. Fort Wayne, was at his cottage with his wife, and had just come in from sweeping the snow off the walk when the fatal attack occurred. He had retired last year as a salesman for J. Hoferts & Co. The son of Samuel and Etta Acker Roop, he was born June 24, 1899, in Pleasant Mills. He was first married to Leia Hill Oct. 3, 1922 She died April 12, 1949, and he was married to Jennie Kleinknight October 3, 1953. She survives, in addition to three children, Walter J. Roop, Decatur, Mrs. James (Betty) Shackley, Decatur, and Robert R. Roop, of Three Rivers, Mich.; three, brothers, Rufus, Decatur; Forest, Van Wert, 0., and Harry, Toledo. O.; two sisters, Mrs. Virgil •fflelen) Gamble, • Middle ‘ Point, 0., and Mrs. Leah Thatcher, tjtfn Wert, O.; three grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. Three brothers and a sister are deceased. < Frineds may call after 7 p.m. Friday at the Zwick funeral home, where services will be held at 2 p.'m. Sunday. Burial will be in the Decatur cemetery.

More Word Received On Post Office Work Additional information cm the $175,000 remodeling and extension to the Decatur post offee was received today from Dominic A. Tesauro, regional administrator, general services administration. Complete working drawings, and specifications for the changes will be prepared by Schenkel & Lawrence, architects, of Fort Wayne. According to Tesauro, the work includes building and driveway extension, including demolition, alterations, repairs, lighting and painting existing building; providing Venetian blinds in extension; modernizing heating plant including automatic fuel burning equipment; providing twopipe forced hot water heating system and air conditioning in existing building and new extension. Drawing and specifications are scheduled for completion on or before Nov. 5, 1964. Invitations for bids for the repair and improvement work will be announced at a later date. Clarence Roop Found Dead This Morning Clarence L. Roop, 52-year-old local resident, was found dead in his apartment in the McConnell apartments, 228 W. Madison St., above the former Klenk’s store, about 11 o’clock this morning. Coroner Elmer Winteregg, Jr., said the apparent cause of death was a cofronary occlusion that bad occurred approximately 48 hours before the body was found. Winteregg set the time of death at an estimated 12 noon Tuesdays. He and city policeman Victor Strickler said there was no evidence of any violence, ruling out any possibility of foul play. Roop was found in bed this morning by Irene Lyons, 639 Schirmeyer St., who cleans the several apartments in the building. She said she had seen him in bed about 9:30 a.m.,. and thought nothing about it at first, and went on about her cleaning duties. Returns Later Some time later she returned to his apartment, and then sensing something was wrong, called Pete Gallogly, who lives in one of the other apartments. . Gallogly found he was dead and notified the city police and coroner. Gallogly said the last time he had seen the deceased man was sometime Tuesday morning. The body was taken to the Winteregg-Linn funeral home, where funeral arrangements are being completed. Many of the relatives are in Monroe, Mich., today, attending a funeral for a man who is believed to be a brother of Clarence Roop. The casket will not be opened for the funeral rites, which will be held at the Winteregg-Linn funeral home. Mrs. Ross LaTurner Is Taken By Death Mrs. Almira Ilzina LaTurner, 71, died Wednesday morning at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Alvie Beer, 515 South Bennett street, Bluffton. She was born at Wren, 0., Dec. 27, 1891, a daughter of Francis and Kathryn Myers-Brown, and she wars married to Ross LaTurner Feb. 28, 1914, at Van Wert, O. Mrs. LaTurner was a charter member of the Eagles auxiliary in Decatur. Surviving in addition to the husband and daughter are three other daughters, Mr s. M. L. (Effie) Austin of Monroe route 1, Mrs. Mary Alice Garcie of Fort Wayne, and Mrs. James R. (Marie) Yoder of Beme route 1; two sons Marion LaTurner of Berne route 2, and Curtis LaTurner of Huntington route 4; 25 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two brothers and one sister. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Thomas funeral home in Bluffton, the Rev. Robert Olson officiating. Burial will be in the'Decatur cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home until time of the services: Good Fellows Club Previously Reported ......$125.00 Pocahantas Lodge ....J 5.00 Pythian - Sisters ’ 5.00 Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Krueckeberg 5.00 A Friend 5.00 Mr. and Mrs. B F. Shroyer 25.00 Decatur Woman's Club .. 10.00 Fred and Mabel Striker 5.00 Total .$185.00

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Thurs day, December J 2, 196 3.

McNamara Announces

Closing 35 Military Installations Os U. S.

WASHINGTON (UPI) Defense Secretary Robert S. McNamara today announced the closing of 33 military installations with a reduction of 16,300 in personnel. He said the saving would be $lO6 million a year. McNamara promised that alt civilians losing jobs will be of, sered new ones but he estimated that nearly 80 per cent wist remain on the payroll. He said he expects a net reduction of 7,800 military personnel and 8,506 civilian employes in the widespread cloa» ings affecting 14 states and three foreign countries. The Pentagon chief told d news conference there will bfe further reductions. He said some will be in the govern- , ment’s 11 naval shipyards but he discounted reports that these reductions will necessarily be iA the San Francisco, Boston and Philadelphia yards. Storm of Wrath Reports that the Boston, Philadelphia and San Francisco shipyards would be closed brought a storm of congressional wrath Wednesday and delegations from the three affected states later reported they had been assured the bases would not be closed. Indications were, however, that the assurances were only temporary. Among the largest installations to be closed are Fifth Army Headquarters in Chicago (being moved to Ft. Sheridan. Ill.); the Army depots at Rome, N.Y., Ft. Worth, Tex., and Schenectady, N.Y.; the naval repair shipyard at San Diego, alif.; Stead AFB, Nev., and Camp Chaffee, Ark., and Camp Leroy Johnson, La. McNamara’s written announcement referred to closings and reductions of bases. In answer to questions, ■ however, he said half of those listed would be eliminated and the other half would be “very substantially reduced — to all practical purposes eliminated.” Total savings in his base reduction program started in 1961 now amount to 70,000 jobs and $442 million a year, he said. He estimated that another $125 to $l5O million a year can be saved by this method. The secretary said he will freeze employment at other defense installations to make jobs available for those being cut from the payroll. “Every employe whose job is eliminated will be offered another job opportunity,” he said. “If the new job requires a move, the expense in the case of career employes and their families will be borne by the government." His estimates indicated that approximately 35,000 government employes will be moved to other jobs. He said the Defense Department will provide retraining programs for about 5 per cent who would otherwise be unemployable. Approximately 20 per cent of the employes losing jobs are expected to go voluntarily into private industry or other carers.

4f SHOPPING > U DAYS LEFT A ) o CHRISTMAS SEALS fisMTH iRd •flier RESPIRATORY DISEASES WMBi

* 1 liuNG UP— Many autos will be “hung up" this winter, but here is a new way of doing it. Deloris Passwater, 27, of route 1, Willshire, 0., escaped with only bruises and shock from this mishap, when her auto went out of control on a slippery Winchester Road Wednesday evening and crashed into the side of a small bridge. The auto smashed broadside into the bridge, flipped halfway over and then hung on the concrete side of the bridge — Photo bv Mac Lean)

Auto Demolished In Wreck Wednesday A near-Willshire, 0., resident escaped serious injury in a onecar accident that occurred at 6:40 p.m. Wednesday On a slippery and snow-covered Winchester road. Deloris I. Passwater, 27-year-old resident of route 1, Willshire, was taken to the Adams county Memoriay hospital for treatment of a bruised shoulder and shock, after her auto had rammed a small bridge on the Winchester road, near Decatur. She was traveling to Decatur when the car went out of control as it started down a small incline on the t road. The vehicle slid sideways and the right side crashed into the left side of the concrete bridge. The road was very slick at the time, during the heavy snowfall. Deputy sheriff Harold August, who investigated, estimated the T 960 model car at a total loss. The auto had literally hung on the bridge, instead of dropping into the ditch. This was the lone mishap in the county during the heavy snowfall. A rash of accidents had been feared due to the slippedy conditions of the highways and roads. Child Custody Case Is Heard In Court Final arguments were presented in a child custody case in the Adams circuit court before noon today, with Judge Myles F. Parrish taking the case under advisement, to give his ruling with- ■ in the next few days. The case involves 'Lloyd L. Worthman, who filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus in October. naming Harold and Blanche Harms, route 5, Decatur, as defendants. The child involved is Tangie Ellen Worthman, four - year ■ old daughter of Worthman, who, he claims in his petition, is unrelated to Mr. and Mrs. Harms. Worthman is represented by Custer and Smith of Decatur, and

/■ ; the defendants are represented by Hubert R. McClenahan, local attorney. Evidence Given Evidence was presented in th“e’ case Wednesday, and final arguments Were heard this morning before the court adjourned at noon. In his petition, Worthman claims the Harms “have custody and possession of such child and now illegally and without cause restrain her of her liberty and wrongfully and illegally deprive this petitioner of the custody and possession of said child by forcibly confining and restraining her at their residence . . The petition says Mr. and Mrs. Harms are unrelated to the little girl, have no natural rights to her custody and possession and have not been awarded custody of her by any court order; and asked that the writ be granted and issued and the girl be awarded to him. Claim Custody The Harms recently filed a “return where the custody of a child is sought,’’ claiming they “have a good home for the child and are able and willing to care for, maintain and educate her." They also claim they are entitled to custody and they "lawfully restrain her.” Their return also states they have had complete care and custody of the girl since she was two weeks old with the “full consent, authorization and acquiescence” of her father. Worthman later filed an answer to the return which says he denies four things: they have a good home for her; they are entitled to custody; it will be in the best interest of the girl to remain in their care and custody; and that they have had complete care and custody of her since she was two weeks old, with his full con- • sent. Jaberg Is Elected As State Officer Adams county auditor Edward F. Jabcrg has been elected secretary-treasurer of the Indiana county auditors association. Jaberg was elected Wednesday at a- meeting of the organization nr Indianapolis. Jaberg completes his second term ars Adams county auditor next year.

I Business Head Lauds Johnson ... . _

WASHINGTON (UPD—A top business leader today praised President Johnson's efforts to cut federal spending and urged local businessmen to support, rather than protest, economy closings of defense bases in their areas. The business spokesm a n. President Edwin Neilan of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, even left open the possibility that he might vote for Johnson next year. Neilan visited with the President aj about the same time as disclosure was made that Johnson issued an order to department and agency chiefs to take still another whack at cutting. their, budgets. He told them to let him know by Friday night what they had done. Neilan's comments about the bases came as the Pentagon prepared to detail the closing of some* defense installations over the vehement protests of congressmen. Consider National Interestts Neilan said after his discussion ot the budget with Johnson that he would urge business to try to adapt some of the Local Lady's Sister Dies At Fort Wayne Mrs. Nova Klopfenstein Bennington, 72, of Fort Wayne, died at 2 a.m. today at the St. Joseph’s hospital following an illness of complications. Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Kenneth Ewald of Fort Wayne. Mrs. Justine Schmehl and Mrs. Aldine Wefel, both of Temple City, Calif.; and two sisters, Mrs. Stella Cavanaugh of Fort Wayne, and Mrs. Hazel Aeschliman of Decatur. The body was removed to the Klaehn funeral home in Fort Wayne. Arrangements have not been completed. INDIANA WEATHER Occasional snow tonight and Friday. Becoming very windy, turning much colder alte tonight and Friday. Low tonight 15 to 22 north, 17 to 25 south. High Friday 15 to 25 north, in the 30s south. Sunset today 5:21 p.m. Sunrise Friday 7:57 a.m. Outlook for Saturday: Cloudy and colder with snow flurries north. Ix>ws in the teens Highs in the 20s.

Christmas Program At D.H.S. Sunday

The annual Christmas program of the Decatur high school, every year one of the city’s highlights of the holiday season, Will be presented at 4 o’clock Sunday afternoon at the high school auditorium. The public is invited to “attend this Christmas program, for which there is no admission charge. The program, in three parts, is as follows: Part I Medley of Christmas carols—brass ensemble—Richard Humble. - Tom Baxter,. Steve Doty, -Tim Singleton and Jerry Conrad. Part ii Candlelight processional—high school choir. Part IH “'rhe Song of Christmas” — the story of the Nativity as told in Christmas songs, Biblical verses and tableaux. Appearing in the scenes—Mary, Susan Worthman; Joseph, Dan

SEVEN CENTS

abandoned installations for private use or move into the area and provide jobs for those thrown out of work by the closings. He said he hoped businessmen in the localities would consider the national interest before protesting. Neilan had unusual praise of Johnson for a major spokesman for business. He said he felt most businessmen have been impressed by the way Johnson has taken over the White House. He indicated he particuarly favored Johnson’s efforts to cut expenditures although he said the President regarded some reports of his economy moves as exaggerated. Lung Cancer Film I Shown Optimists | Mel Tfnkham, local insurance agent, presented a film on lung cancer at the weekly meeting of the Decatur Optimists held this morning. Produced by the American Cancer society, the film dealt with the association of cigarette smoking and lung cancer. A 30-year record of vital statistics shows that while the annual death rate in the U. S. has decreased 18 per cent due to the advancement of medical science, the fatality rate from lung malignancies has risen over 900 per cent. Broken down info detailed catagories, statistics show that the average person who smokes up to *4 a pack of cigarettes per day has a much greater chance of contracting lung cancer. At one pack per day. his chances are eight times greater, at two packs the peril rises to 18 times and above that the chances of developing the disease is 21 times than that of the non-smoker. To prove beyound doubt the relation between inhaling tobacco smoke and cancer, mechanical smoking machines are used to collect the tar residue from cigaret»es. This tar in turn is painted on the shaved Bodies of mice. In every case the laboratory was able to produce cancerous cells Surgical charts prove that every cancerous lung removed was that of a cigarette smoker.

Baumgartner; Angel. Tom Christen; Shepherds, Tom Arnold, David Baker, John Haywood, Lennie Corral, Jesse Costello; Magi, John Bookout, George O’Campo, Steve Beavers; narrator, Larry Reinking. <• Soloists with the choir—Jane Jacobs, Carole Mitch, Tim Singleton, Tom Baxter, Jerry Gray; quartet, Sharon Harden, Margaret Kocher, Alan David Wynn. - .. Accompanists will be Patricia Collins on the organ and Rebecca Lord on the celesta.— - - In charge of staging ate Susan Osterman. Mark Corral and Roger Death,, with set designs by Nancy Gerber. Faculty supervisors are: choir, Helen Haubold: brass ensemble, Richard Collins; tableaux, Hubert Feasel; narration, Tonnj Kelly: consumes, Phyllis Houk; lighting. Lowell J. Smith and David Clayton.