Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 66, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 November 1917 — STATE NEWS ITEMS [ARTICLE]

STATE NEWS ITEMS

The Doings of Hoosierdom Reported by Wire. FUEL NEEDS ARE BEING MET Evan Woollen, State Fuel Administrator, Is Much encouraged by His Early Efforts, but Anxiously Awaits Cold Weather. Indianapolis. Nov. 16. —The Indiana fuel administration is just managing to meet the urgent needs for fuel in the state. The report of Evan Woollen, (State fuel administrator, shows that 404 cars were diverted last week by the administration to meet urgent needs of communities. The administration is much encouraged by its early efforts, but anxiously awaits the coming of cold weather with increased demand. Thought He Was Wise Guy. Indianapolis. Nov. 16. —“I thought I was a wise guy, but I was a fool to fall for the decoy of a woman.” This comment ended the social career of Private Sidney George Patten, alias Lieutenant Keefe. Deserting his regiment at Fort Benjamin Harrison he launched into a gay career in Indianapolis, cashing checks with ease and winning his way into some feminine hearts. Failure to make good his alleged promise to marry Miss Alberta Monroe led her to invite detectives to station themselves in her apartment after she asked him to call. Patten said he was a member of a wealthy family of Springfield. Mass., and army life as a private palled on him. He is held as a deserter, for forging checks and impersonating an officer.

Asks Rate Increase. Indianapolis. Nov. 16. —The Union Traction company of Indiana petitioned the public service commission to allow special increases in passenger rates, including commutation tickets, mileage book rates and school passenger rates of one-fourth cent a mile. It asks that the minimum fare be increased from 5 to 10 cents a mile. It does not ask a change of the 2-cent a mile rate prescribed by law. Accused of Auto Theft. Laporte. Nov. 16. —Richard Gaze and Thomas White, two young men. are under arrest at Knox, charged with the theft of an automobile. They were arrested while trying to sell the alleged stolen automobile. The polic'e declare they are members of a gang which has been stealing automobiles in Chicago and selling them in northern Indiana towns. Officer on Furlough. Rushville, Nov. 16.—Capt. John H. Kiplinger of the headquarters company, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth field artillery, Camp Shelby, Miss., arrived here on a brief furlough. Captain Kiplinger recruited Company B of the old Fourth Indiana here and his was the first company to reach Camp Shelby. 4T - Lepers Must Also Conserve. ' Princeton. Nov. 16. —Even a leper must conserve food. The family of David Byers, which is isolated at Fort Branch because Byers has leprosy, is -cared for by the state board of health and the family has ordered food so lavishly that the state board has decided to curtail expenditures. Roads Seek Increase. Indianapolis, Nov. 16. —Representatives of railroads in Indiana told the public service commission that they are doing intrastate business at a loss. The railroads are seeking a general increase in class freight rates. Shippers say the present rates cannot be maintained. I „ Horace Weber Acquitted. Muncie, Nov. 16.—The jury was instructed to acquit Horace Weber, former county surveyor, after the state had completed its evidence. Judge Gauze decided the state had not proven its charge that Weber presented false claims to the county in the amount of 55.000.