Decatur Democrat, Volume 52, Number 40, Decatur, Adams County, 7 October 1909 — Page 6

tn giving the assets and liabilities of our electric light and water , works ptant, I placed the value of same M $12^900,#. d have since promised the public a statement showing how I arrived at the value of this property which so many people thought was a real burden to the city. My statement of September 15th showed how much of the people’s money was in the plant The amounts are as follows: Paid by taxation $19,000.00 Extension money raised by taxation • • 2,950.00 Outstanding electric light orders u . 2,993.31 Outstanding water works or. decs 2,082.99 Outstanding W. W. bonds.. 10,000.00 Int on outstanding orders.. 1,200.00 E. L. & W. W. orders in $20,000 bond sale 14,500.00 Interest on bonds carried by city 19,140.00 Total . $71,866.30 Plant earnings used for ext. 82,564 48 Total value $154,430.78 The above is the total value of the plant determined by the amount of money invested. The trouble is that I cannot make these figures stick, because people will say that it does not matter what a property costs. Cost does not determine value. Jhe report further shows that $19,313.00 of the fire hydrant and street light money has been retained by the taxpayers. $93,049.42 was collected from consumers. Our rate is eight cents per kllowat and other plants show a rate of ten and twelve cents per kilowat. If we had used the ten cent rate, we would have collected $23,262.35 mpre than we did. Add this to the amount retained by taxpayers and you will have $42,575.00. The above amount is for eleven years. One year the amount would be $3,870.00. Compute the interest on $71,866.00, the amount the people have in the plant by direct payments and guaranteed payments including inter. . est, and you will see that the city has ; declared a little less than a six per ( cent divideiffl on her investment of ■ $71,866.00 besides earning $82,564.48 ( for extensions and the $24,875.00 of ( the bonded indebtedness that was j paid out of the earnings of the plant j Be careful how youflgure or you will ( run the value above the $150,000.00 ( mark. You want to be careful or you will make every dollar, that the city invested, worth three. These figures have been too flattering and I will have to figure from another basis. We will use the private ownership basis at ten cents per kilowat. Our gross earnings at eight cents last year, was $30,000.00, ten cents would have brought $35,000. We spent for coal, drayage and freight $12,000.00, labor $5,580.00, you may allow for < depreciation $5*420. The total ’expenses will be $23,000 leaving $12,000 the profit on an unknown capital. This amount will equal the interest on $200,000.00. Our eight cents per kilo, wat gives us a $7,000.00 profit with I depreciation fund of over $5,000 which amount Is really too high. Be careful again or 'you will make the plant worth $290,000.00 and you will make every dollar of the money the city Invested worth three or more. In my statements, I have been exact but in all my arguments, I have given the benefit of the doubt to those of the opposite belief. I have never ■ mentioned minimum charge once, neither have I have anything about the increased or higher power rata Os the other cities. If a private firm could have secured this plant at cost, they could have bonded it for $125,000, put the money in their pockets, paid a six per cent dividend on a .S2MJXK> - capital stock. . They could have spent* taeir summers tn Petoskey, their win, tars tn Florida, while we codd spend our few bouts of leisure as-tar -north, as Maple Grove park. ‘ “ I believe in the people of Decatur managing their own affairs. They do not need any high priced men to tell them, how to take care of their own business. When do youjfind a-pri«ate business in this .town that makes a better showing* In 1894 there'was a $20,000 bond issue. This bonds# in* debtedness was made to cover the floating debt and to take up old ob-: Hgatlcms. Decatur then was $20,000 -..•in the hole'and no salable property to cover Jta r indebtedness. Today she has property’ to cover all her indebtedness and is more than $41,000 to the good. Uslng -the -$135,000 as the , valuation of- the plant, everybody knows the above figures are too low. This makes h difference in .favor of the city of more than $61,000 during the last fifteen years, I am glad to see tfiat a groat many fair minded people understand the object of my statements. In fact our figures have convinced the moat unreasonable that our city indebtedness rose and fell during the last eleven years regarding Os ’the water and electric light plant Yet we have some men who’ have axes toffrind that cannot see mF to~nto toe’ -afefS' XWj JbgMtaC at a wet of fa.ooe.wl

West Ward at perhaps...... WOO North Ward at perhaps.... 7,000.00 iOentral scbol building...... 20,000.00 Refunding bonds of 1894.... 20,000.00 Refunding bonds of 1898.. 9,000.00 Township roads 1898 to 1909 96,540.0 V Interest for eleven years.... 61,324.00 Mice, streets and sewers...-.114,48b00 Special street and sewer.... 17,683.00 / -■ - - - Total $365,080.00 The above $365,000 is only a part of the huge load that our city has been carrying and paying. With all this burden, we do not begrudge the farmer this good roads nor wish the city to return to her mud streets. We have convinced the people that the credit of Decatur is good and that all our money is not going into our water works and electric light “Junk pile.” There are two things that a city coun. cil cannot do. They cannot manage the city business satisfactory to everybody concerned, neither can thev manage the business just like they would manage their own business. Such wisha-washa policies allow the indebtedness to slip up but does furnish the strength to pull her down. There is no politics In throwing the books open and allowing everybody know the value of their own property. There is more pleasure in helping to build up the credit of one city than to destroy the credit of a thousand municipalities. “Build up” is the mottqs 'and every taxpayer should realize that this cannot be done without definite ideas. Publicity of our city affairs will unite the voters on rational lines, will aid in the care of the city revenue, will prompt the reducing of the city indebtedness and help to save the interest. There Is no narrow politics in trying to save the credit of the city. There is no politics in working for our homes instead of the bondholder. That is business. The road is open for better things. Let us go forward and not backward. W. J. ARCHBOLD. — o , The Knights of Columbus lodge is. arranging for another big day, to be held here in about a month, the exact date having not been fixed as yet This is being done by the state officers. It will be known as K. of C. day and will be similar to those given here before, but more complete if the plans being made are carried out, as they no doubt will be. The event will be a Joint installation of candidates from this city and Huntington, the former furnishing thirty and the later, twenty-five. The state officers of the order are expected to be present and| there will be delegations from all the cities of this section, including lima, South Bend, Fort Wayne, Peru, Union City, Muncie, Anderson, Marion, and other places, numbering in all between five and six hundred. Preliminary ar. rangemen ts are now being made by the local off! cers, including C. 8. Niblick, H. J. Yager and B. J. Kohne. A good speaker will be secured and in fact nothing is to be left updone, toward making this the biggest of all similar events ever held here. The crowds will come in early in the day and remain until evening, when the dajfs pleasures wfil with a sumptuous banquet. It is likely that the day Will be set for either the last Sunday of this month or the first of next. ■ Chicago, Oct. 2.—John R. Walsh has failed to pay the quarterly interest of $70,000 due July 1 on the $7,000,000 note given by John R. Walsh A Co. to the Associated Banks of Chicago, in connection with W deal by which the banks toe* -over the assets of the Chicago National, the Home Savings and the Equitable Trust company in 1905. It had been intimated in advance that tiie interest would not be paid, under theugreementliywhlch certain securities are pledged as security for the note there is no default until ninety Aaya -Save elapsed after the interest tadue W* To save default, however, the interest due July 1 should have been field today. It is expected that the banks will move toward a foreclosure on the securities pledged. But one of the nrnvtaiMM nff IKa anrrAAmATit .10 th&t ktttl unpaid-the prfnciitad and taterest W declared due and foreclosure proceedings may begin- It is possible that in taese extra tikenty days Walsh may be’able topay the striy« interest. If not, the banks w*H proceed with the foreclpflure, whidh ultimately will eliminate Walahtremthe Chicago Southern - and the Southern Indiana, the railroad enterprises that brought about his financial., difficulties. It is not improbable that. tiw foreclosure will be drawn out for a considerable period in -the courts; -The securities pledged to secure the .$7,000,000 note consist largely |of the stocks and bonds of the Chicago Southern and the Southern Indiana and Walsh's other railroad properties. The Chicago Southern and the Southern Indiana are in a hwt folr program under the receiver’s management. The -annual iatarAm. fWw i Southern Indiana bonds wag putt ts* loeatiy by order of the court . .j..-w.,\ ■* ’ • ’ ' I

) Indianapolis, Oct 1.-The state tax ) board will revise the petaonal prop- » erty list to secure a better equaliza- > tlon of taxation, so ft was stated yes- ) terday by John McArdle, a member » of the board. Hie itemised list ot > personal property, which* every tax- ) payer is required to fill out contains ) 100 items, including everything from - annuities, the number of steamboats ) owned to the number of dogs. In t spite of its apparent completeness, i however, the state tax board has disi covered that the list does not include ■ automobiles. There are a number of t, other items which are not definite » enough, as, for example, the question i is asked “how many sheep and I valuer’ This will probably be chang. *ed “how many rams?” "How many ' lambs r* etc. Instead of "how many . cattle, and valuer* the question will > likqly be, “how many bulls, heifers, steers, cows, calves?’* etc. The board - has realized for some time that the ■ list did not permit a fair equalization of values, in that it permitted some s to escape under a too broad classification a taxation which ought to , obtain, and which it is believed will under a proper revision. The board is fortified in its right to make the revision by an opinion from Attorney i General Bingham. The attorney general states that the assessment laws of the state clearly give the state tax ■ board the right to revise the assessment list, which has remained as it ' is for many years. —o— — Among the beet known old residents of this city are Mr. and Mrs. , James Edge, who for years have resided on north Fifth street They have many acquaintances over this section who will be glad: to learn that this splendid old couple are planning to celebrate their fiftieth anniversary of their wedding day. The event occurred October 19th, 1859, and the golden wedding on the same date this year will likewise be a happy affair. A son who resides in Missouri is here and will assist his parents in getting ready tor the important occasion, as will also the daughter, Mrs. M. V. B. Archbold of Fort Wayne. Mr. and Mrs. Edge are in good health and are as happy as though they were anticipating the original wedding. They are among the most highly respected citizens of Decatur and all who know them hope they will live to enjoy each others company for smother half century. The golden wedding will nbt be an elaborate affair, but will : include al the relatives and of course (the day will be a most appropriate one. Some people can’t just naturally help being lucky and it looks as though Fred Martin, son of Jacob Martin of this city, is one of those individuals- It Is well known here that he has large holdings in the Abakan district He spent the summer here ana on his way home In August Stopped In the Coeur d'Alene country and registered tor the big government land drewing. As a result he has been notified that he was one of those fortunate enough to secure a 160 acre tract of the valuable land tor the price of the notary, twenty-five cents. recent copy of the Fairbanks, AlaskanDaily Times, said: “Lucky Fred’> A. Martin, proprietor of the California, received a notice by yesterday’s mail that he had drawn dumber 2221, in the Flathead Indian, reservation, near Coeur d'Alene, nahd. This means that he has 160 acres of land coming to him, for an eipefidl*ture of twenty-five cents in registering, in the parly part of is, he has the opportunity of buying it at a price which will make th ■a gift The big government lotfcry,: in which 76A000 acres of tend YftK allotted to the Flathead Indians is apportioned, began at Coeur d’Alene August 12th. According to the Ws- ■ soula Herald, .the 700,000 aMIQ there are two thousand quarter fee-1 1 tions of land fit for agricultural pgPM ! pqffiffi, and it is estimated that thiby will be-between 2,700 and MOO dafitacl 1 filed upon. There are 40,ffS acres <3O land classified as first class, for which! the government wUJ receive, from ssl 1 to $7 per acre, ons-third to be WQ at time of filing, April, 1910, and» tiro! * remainder tn five equal aaauhl fiay--1 mepts, unless the one. junking «try * seslres to prove up after fourteen J 1 months’ residence,when the I balance can be paid. The second dlinr agricultural land totals 75,019 acres. * Mr..Mßrtln wilt know after filing next April whether he will have timber, 1 agricultural or mediocre ground. Mbs * thousand names will be dnawn. Hw ’ and Frank Barthel and Fred Deinin-J 1 ger, who'all come from the same town,! * Decatur, Ind., registered at the samel time. Mr. Martin Is not quite decided! 1 which he would rather be in this in- 7 * stance, a fanner or a log-roller. ——o ..... ] 1 Henry Knapp vs. Samuel i ham Debolt, note, default It d«en-1 1 dauts, cause heard and Judgment ten- * Xaviml vUaImMW in - finn > I V*V*s?»* pUninvlH -AM Hula m ; WwW* » James Touhqy va. Ctty As ' damages SIO,OOO, rule to aaiwer JKR

• torney, cause was postponed until Saturday, October 9. Frank Droga vs. Beulah A B. Harding, slander, demand $3,000, reset tor 1 October 26. f 1 k 1 Fort Wayne Electric Works vs. WIL 11am G. Spencer, suit on contract, $125, set for trial Wednesday, October 27. 1 A motion for a change of venue ' from the Judge was filed and suatain- » ed in the cases of C. F. Gladieux, William J. Beauchot, Frank J. Gerordat and Herman Hockemeyer, re-applioa. tion for liquor licenses in Allen county. B .... . \ ; < *;.S Mathias Miller et al, petition for drain, final report filed by drainage commissioner, examined and approved. John W. McKean vs. Mary and Noah Loch, answer filed by International Harvester Co. and by Kirsch, Sellemeyer A Co., cross complaints also filed. Real estate transfers: Benjamin Hellworth to John M. Amstutz 160 acres, Jefferson township, $12,800. David C. Welty to Jesse Rupp, part lot 429, Berne, $250. A. B. Bailey, guardian for Francis Kessler, filed his report and resignnation. Guardian discharged. Etta Huffman apointed and filed bond. ■ o_ M. E. Brackett is just home from Chicago, where he landed a nice piece of business and which will help increase the output and earnings of the Ward Fence company for 1910. The contract was for a certain style farm fence, and the order is one that will make the company twenty thousand plunks, not a bad asset Mr. Brackett has a few more contracts on the way and the outlook is not half bad for this Decatur manufacturing company. They expect to greatly increase their output during the coming year and from the present outlook they will easily do it 1 The Ward Fence company sent out their quarterly dividend checks yesIterday and today every holder of stock in that company will have received a dividend upon the amount of stock they hold. This is the third dividend declared for the year, and’ It will likely continue to be a permanent feature of their business. o- - Miss Laura Williams, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Thomas of oaa Street was given a farewell party Tuesday at her home. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and fafiitiy Fill letvb .forj Elkhart iHMufew »s, *nd th# ex 4 pect to resi|e th#e in thd jutufeJ For the ffienffsl of Laura had been planning the eventJ and they enjoyed themselves mensely last pight Misses Grace Coffelt, Ruth and Frances Miller serteffi dellcious refreshments. Those who attended were Misses Hazel flmittay Nellie Winans, Tjicile Smith, Beatrice -Gofteft, Bertha HiUpote, TMfih Hammond, Leah Hensley, Gmffittr, ireta Jackson, Mary Irtein-x ger, Grystal Kern, Esther Enos, Olive ; Perkins, Merle Johnson, Julia Gillig, Ruth and Irances Miller, Grace Coffelt * ’ ' I *■*■**■'•• The Junior Christian Endeavor ot the -Christian church Js planning f# £ good time to be held at the home of Mrs. Percy Williams. The event promises to fe ode of pleasurt .fed the league members. 1 The experience social at the home of Mrs. Ed Shoemaker Friday giv«P .by >• JM’w’ Aid Society wf -the tchristian church, was vesy intereat-'s IwJWt «>’ "SF IE fit solo: Sevffiil" ©abide tuests ilrere'j tawrt, the membert, making! [yesterday’s meetd | As announced a few weks ago the Woman’s Home Missionary Beetety of ItbaM. E. cift«roh will’open tMti seciwd annual ransack sale In the city fig!!, copper of fijaflison and -Third streets, on Tuesday, Oct 5. An apron safe will be held in connection with W.W# hK AU who W" >»">»■ thing to donate will please bear this Idate ln mind. | Mr. and Mrs. Wa4e Macbqrens of I this city entertained kt twelve o’clock Winner yesterday very pleasantly. The fatteraoon was spent kt conversation. | Those present were Mr. and ] ISO® Briti <rf dficago, and Mr. anA pll# and Mrs, typry Schults entertainqd last evenlag in an enjoyt|#’

tertained In a most i number ot their friends at their homo on Mercer, avenue Friday evening la honor of out of town gueets. Mrs. Lomeyor, one of tho guests sang s®reral times during the evening, adding much pleasure to the general pleasant time. Guests wore Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Brackett, Mr. and Mrs. Lomoyor, Mrs. Young and daughter ot Montana, and Mr. and Mrs. Ned Steele, and Mr. and Mrs. L. G. Elllngham. Mrs. Young is known by many here, being a sister of Mrs. Schirmeyer. The True Chapter of the American League of Decatur held its largest meeting Friday evening with Miss Victoria Stone, there being a very attendance. The members are planning for a “magazine festival” to be held soon, and this affair promises to be interesting in the extreme. —— HIGH SCHOOL NOTES Van Wert vs: D. H. S. today in one of the best games the high school has playe’d for several years, is the talk today and has been all week. Miss Smith Johnson composed a numoer of catchy songs, with tunes of various popular pieces and twenty-five minutes were given yesterday morning and twenty minutes in the afternoon were devoted to practicing them. They will be used in the game this after-, noon. Much enthusiasm has been worked up in the H. S. during the last two weeks. The D. H. S. students who live outside of the city returned to their respective homes yesterday evening. One month of school year 1909-'lO has passed never to return again. The old H. S. piano was tuned Thursday during the noon hour. It sounds much better now than before. Mr. Baumgartner went to his home at Linn Grove this morning and will return Monday. There arp forty-three transfers from the outer townships to D. H. S. The girls’ basket ball team is working in fine shape now and will soon be ready to play any team of this kind in Adams county. The commercial department under the supervision of Mr. Tritch is now on a firm foundation. Several visitors were in attendance at the high school yesterday. The teachers all fel‘ happy yesterday—pay day. —- • 1 o STAFFORD SENT BACK TO WIFE AfFeeted at Kendallville for Deserting His Wlfs. In the circuit court thfe afternoon Wayman Stafford, the dwarf arrested [at Mfadmfe yestesdfiy for d«MftV [He wM [although he insisted ton tthe wi&essi WB9a that fie hM' not intended to bw jmd been in hard luck find hdd be«ta unable to make money enough to send any for her support Judge O’Rourke tdM him to go back to hte wife and took the case under advisement He Stared in his defense that he had been “following the fairs’* but hadn't made any money and that he went kWay from HOaglapd, where he kept a restaurant because the business was not paying and he thought he bjbuld make enough to tide oyer the Winter and to pay for a surgical operation Us wife utffldrwent last winter. She is also a dwwf and was farced to submit a to vary to a Cesarian Section to save her fife. The affidavit against him Use filed by Bmrett Van Buskirk, his -lyi . Wfb w CTftmiAw* > ■iF v vV s»yu“ |< Btafford is well known to this city. —o—.— —... —- .- ■ ftUITI AFTER LONG SERVICE si.-,.' • .'V ■eWi• wsvsw I 1 Dr. A. Q. Gorrell .who has been iu [Uncle ‘Sam’s servlce sos several yeara fih the ’teapactty df jrtmrt route cktrier [at Ossian state* that he expects to rehtwrfypm to* I>wtnt Mr.[gfefeptas been a carrier ever kttee fttfil “fret delivery was inaugurated in Ossian. He is regarded as one of 'the miost .WtW section. His retirement on Dee. Ist ■wtti create s ptace-tor ene-ef-toe bdye who recently passed the civil service examination for rural carriers. It is said that either Rem. A Johnson (ft Boyd Hunter will capture the coveted plkoe. An Mr. Hunter is a substitute and ’hag had some experience in the mail business It’ is likely that Ar. GorTOll'q mantle will fall on that gta. tieman.—Bluffton News. ' 1,1 ' » . . o |,i..a l iii ■ «i 11 BERNE MEN INTERESTED Articles of, Ineorpdrettob have been fifed iwith *W secretary State by the Wells County Condensery Oom-

cowpfiny to build r 11* li I to handle 20,000 of tafflSl dag. Principal stockholders are John, I Jacob and Amos Neuhauser, R r’l Schug and Phillip Souder-Bluffton I NeWs. ■■ I ' Ask for Alien’s Foot-Ease. I WMWmSMS I A powder for swollen, tired, hot, I Allen 8. Olmsted, Le Ro/, I NT. I ——■'■■■• | Miss Ruth Gains, of Anderson, is I In the city visiting with Mr. and Mrs. I C. Keller. I — O' ■ —■ - ■ I THE ROAD TO SUCCESS. I |ias many obstructions, but none so I desperate as poor health'. Success I today demands health, but Electric I Bitters is the greatest health builder I the world has ever known. It com- I pels perfect action of stomach, liver, I kidneys, bowels, purifies and enriches I the blood and tones and invigorates I the whole system. Vigorous body and I keen brain follow their use. You I can’t afford to slight Electric Bitters I if weak, run-down or sickly. Only 50c. I Guaranteed by all druggists. ■ I o Hazel Andrews went to Monroe this I afternoon for a short stay at that I place on business. o — ■ I “Can be depended upon” is an ex- I pression we all like to hear, and it is used in connection with Cham- I berlaln’s Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea I Remedy It means that It never falls I to cure diarrhoea, dysentery or bowel I complaints. It is pleasant to take and I equally valuable for children and I adults. Sold by all dealers. | —--—— o ■*'— "I 1 » Mrs. Rinehart Llmenstahl, of Pet- I ereon, went to Fort Wdyne today to I visit her daughter. | A HURRY UP CALL 1 | Quick! Dr. Dreglst-Quicki-a box I of Bueklea’s Arnica Salve—Here’s a 1 hie Cttt hls foot with the are—Mamie’s | aeaMed—FA eatft walk from pilee— ] BiWe has’botis-rond my coms acho. Sold by all druggists. - O”-' ■ "—■ ■ | Henry Bennett, of Briant, went to [ Fort Wayne test evening to spend the day with friends. I -1 1 0'1 — 1 Your complexion as well as your temper is rendered miserable by a | disordered liver. By taking Chamberlain’s Stomach and Liver Tablets you J can Improve both. Sold by all dealers. [ I Peter Holthouse went to Redkey 1 this morning, where he will look * f " I ter business during the day. | Je Mothers In thia Tewn. I Children who are delicate, feverish, aftd crots Wl get Immediate relief ] froni,Mbthte Gray’s Sweet Powders for Children. They cleanse the stomach, act on the liver, making a sickly child strong and healthy. A certain cure for worms. Md by all druggists, 25c. Sample Free. Address Alfek 8. Olmstead, URter. N. T. 11. Ibi . yin, o* I The condition of Harmon Bosse remains about the same, and not much change or improvement Every Weman Win tbe Ujtereeted. « There nas recently beenfllscoverefi . aa aromatic, pleasant her> euro for 1 woman’s flls, called Metier Gray’s AMtrallaa-LeaL It Is thej oaiy csrBladdtv gtete er by ssaU «• eta. AUresa, The Mother Gray Ob-. Lsßsy, F I i Fred Linn and . I Vance MriJ! go to Indianapolis to* g morrow, where they will remain for a few days- ’ —‘ -■ O w ... * Mother Gsay*w Sweet Fbwders 10s OWn# u|g by * nuxne la Children’s Home, New York, no eolde in 24 hours, cure Fev- , Stoei, Hfedatoe, Stomach TrouHm, Teethtog iMddriters ahd Destroy Worms. At all druggists, ttlc. Bamjte mailed FREE. Afifitofe Alls* E. Olmsted, to a WneitaftTALLEN’S *HbT-EABE ' A powder toahake Into yofir shoes. It cures hot, tired. achW *wollen. sweating feet and makes walking easy. Takes the sting rnrt of corns and bunions. All druggists 25 cts. Don’t accept any substitute. * ' Mrs. G. C. Hawkins Msht to Geneva this morning and will visit for n few weeks with her parents. ■ -■ The Royal Neighbors w|ll meet as usual this evening at their hall. AH members are attend. Fifty Years’ Experience. — Mrs W. W. Ralston. Hopkinsville. Ky., says: ”1 have be# raising ehickras for fifty years aid Bourbon Poultry Cure is the most #ttafactory