Herald and Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 3

DECATUR HERALD Decatur, Illinois, Saturday, January 23, 1954. YMCA installs Memorial Plaques Legal Problem In School Hearing Homer Chastain Leaves Firm Of Engineers Water Commissioner Homer L. SOME STATIONS CUT GAS PRICES AGAIN Some independent gasoline service- stations in Decatur cut their prices again yesterday, dropping regular gas to 19.9 cents a gallon and ethyl to 22.9. The latest cuts were two cents a gallon on regular and one cent on ethyl. They brpught the dealers here in line with Champaign independents, who are also selling for 19.9 cents a gallon.

Maior dealers didn't follow the FOUR ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECTS ARE HELD Police last night were holding C. G. Thomson.general secretary of the Decatur YMCA, looks at a memorial plaque listing the names of five persons whose large bequests to the YMCA helped make the Argenta School Advisory Group Urges Addition to White School new building possible. The large plaque at the left was taken from the old building and has also been installed in the west en- trance of the new structure, as sive to maintain. Remodeling would be expensive, according to committee members, and students would still not have the educational opportunities which could be offered under consolidation.

Per capita costs at both Oreana and Renshaw are excessive, Supt. James O. Edmondson said. Registration for adult night classes in Argenta Community Unit School District will be held beginning Monday, with classes starting Feb. 9.

Miss Amelia lipnight DIES IN CALIFORNIA Miss Amelia A. Lipnight, 64, a former resident of Decatur, died yesterday at Hillside Hospital, San Dieoo, Calif. has the traditional builders' plaque, not seen. Fifty-nine smaller plaques, listing donors of various facilities in the building, have also been installed. (Herald and Review Photo) POWs Report Oglesby Dead Reports from released American prisoners of war confirm the death in Korea of Cpl.

Leo Dale Oglesby, 26, of Decatur, according to the Adjutant General. Oglesby 's half brother, Martin H. Abraham of 1529 N. Calhoun with whom he lived, was given no tice of the confirmation. Cpl.

Oglesby was reported miss ing in action Feb. 12, 1951. Last summer the Communists said he had died in a prison camp The Adiutant General's letter states that fellow prisoners of Oglesby say he died in an air raid on the camp on April 20, 1 9 5 1 Uglesby is a son ot Joseph school here and worked as a switch man for the Wabash Railroad after serving in World War II. He was recalled to duty with the Army on Sept. 26; 1950.

Cpl. Oglesby was a member of the Great Light Lodge, Grotto, Shrine and Swords of Bunker Hill Masonic organizations and the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen. FARM SUPPLY COMPANY TO BE MEETING TOPIC Organization and activities of the Illinois Farm Supply Company will be discussed at a Macon Countv Farm Bureau informational short course meeting next Tuesday. The company, a subsidiary of the Illinois Agricultural- Association (State Farm Bureau), is a coopera tive business dealing in petroleum products, feeds, plant foods and other farming supplies. Forty farmers attended the second in the series of meetings held yes terday in the YMCA Building, where remaining meetings will be held.

Meetings start at 10 a.m. and adjourn at 5 p.m. four Negroes in an investigation of a series ot armed robberies Ue- catur, bpnngheld, Bloomington, Normal and Champaign. Officers said police of Cham paign, where a holdup occurred Thursday night, are expected in De catur today with witnesses who will attempt to identify the men. The men were held without charge last night.

Decatur YMCA To Take Part In National Week The Decatur YMCA will partici pate in observance of National YMCA week, beginning tomorrow and ending Tan. 31. No special activities are planned by the senior division, but a full week of events is scheduled in the bovs' division. Entering National Week, the local association has 1,769 members in the junior division and 934 in the adult division. Nationally, there are 1,715 YMCAs with a total membership of 1,923,004.

Activities planned by the junior division include a contest in which members are to name the cities in which YMCAs are located, with a year's membership going to the win ner. A motion picture depicting the history of the YMCA will also be shown to all bovs division club meetings during the week. Thursday and Friday the Hi-Y Youth and Government members will watch city and county government in action in Countv Building visits arranged by County Judge Gus 1 Oreanias. The studies are preparatory to the annual Hi-Y Youth and Government meetings to be held in Springfield in Apnl. The remainder of the dav-by-day schedule for the bovs' division next week is: Monday Basketball game be tween Decatur High School team and Peona, 7 p.m.

Tuesday Gvm demonstration, I 7 p. Decatur High School basketball game at Bloomington Wednesday High school talent program, 7:30 p.m. Thursday Dads Night program featuring Ralph Kemodle, bait and fly casting champion, arranged by Glen Cooper Friday Swim demonstration, 7 p.m.; Fun Club dance, Ben Bradley's orchestra, following Blooming-fbn game at 9:30 p.m. Saturday Decatur High school basketball game at Champaign; Fun Club dance, Bob Kruzan's or chestra, with parents invited to at tend, at 8:30 p.m. Sunday Induction of new members, 2:30 p.m.

J. Walter Spilman, boys' divi sion secretary, said visitors, particu larly parents of boys enrolled I programs, are particularly invited to visit the I dunng the week. Miss Lipnight, who left here forjglesb ol Decatur. He went to to Application for New TV Station Harold Cowgill, who resigned this week as general manager of Television Station WTVP, said yesterday he planned to file an ap plication for UHF channel 23 here. Cowgill said the new station, if approved by the Federal Communications Commission, might be on the air in as little as 90 days.

"Other stations have done it," he! said. A new corporation is being form ed to file for channel 23, but Cow gill declined to name his associates. He said, however, that he hoped some of the 21 other persons whose employment at WTVP was termi nated this week would serve as statt members on the new station, if his application is approved. Cowgill and 19 others quit WTVP this week in a dispute with the management over policy. The employment of two other persons also was terminated, one through dis charge by the management and the other by either resignation or dis- charge.

Cowgill, who formerly worked with the Federal Communications Commission, said he hoped to have the application for channel 23 on file in Washington by Feb. 1 A corporation charter also must be asked from the secretary of state, Cowgill said. "It'll take a week or 10 days to get the mechanics ironed out, but by then I hope to have it all but toned up, he said. W. L.

Shellabarger, president of Prairie Television, which op erates WTVP, said he hadn't considered whether a petition for a hearing on grounds of economic damage would be filed with the rCC. "If our lawyers think we should we probably will, however," he said. Cowgill said his application for channel 23 wouldn't encounter the lengthy delays caused when two or more individuals or companies seek the same channel. Channel 23 is the second of two UHF channels assigned by the FCC to Decatur. WTVP operates on the other, channel 17.

Shellabarger Issues Statement on Troubles William L. Shellabarger, presi dent of Prairie Television Company, owners ot atanon wivr, issued the following statement yesterday: "I-do not wish to cany on in the newspapers a running discussion of 1 1 TTTI .11 1 our troubles, vvnat has happened, has happened, and talking about it will not undo it. "I will however, make this final comment. Starting from scratch we have all worked very hard to bring high class television to Decatur. As in all new enterprises, we had many ob stacles to overcome and many rough spots to iron out.

"The public has been patient and altogether wonderful to us and our statt, and we regret exceedingly that the employes who walked out on us on the eve of our big polio drive did not see lit to give us some notice of their intentions. "We certainly would have appre ciated it and obviously we could have made the necessary adrustments much more smoothly and with less expense if they had given us some notice of their intentions. I regret particularly that those employes were not more considerate of the public which has been so kind to them. "We have been much heartened' by the many kind telephone calls we have had from thousands of our friends. 1 "(Signed) W.

L. Shellabarger, president, Prairie Television Com pany. MARCH OF DIMES FUND TOTAL REACHES $18,234 Receipt of $686.34 from seven Decatur schools yesterday raised the 193 March of Dunes campaign to $18,234.29. The schools and their contribu tions are: Ullrich $28.25 Lincoln $86.30 Washington $146.18 Johns Hill $69.84 Southeast $91.73 Roosevelt $136.04 Oak Grove $128.00 Officials of the Macon Countv. Chapter of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis reminded prospective donors that donations may be mailed to postoffice box 1048, Decatur, and that checks may be made payable to "March of Dimes." Approximately $2,000 was pledged by persons who telephoned Station WTVP during its "Backstage for Polio" benefit program Wednesday night, but a complete report is not yet available.

Cowgill Chastain announced yesterday he has disposed of his interests in Chastain, Burgener Associates and will become a private consulting engineer. He said the other two partners in the firm, Harry J. Burgener and E. M. (Buck) Chastain, acquired his interests as of Jan.

1 and will con tinue the firm under that name. Burgener is taking a leave of ab sence as an engineer for the A. E. Staley Mfg. Company to devote full time to the firm, which has offices at250V4 N.Park St.

The commissioner said he is leaving the firm so his connection with the city will not jeopardize expan sion of the business, either through direct or indirect contracts, or put the firm in an embarrassing posi tion. Finance Commissioner Don F. Davis Tecently questioned a propo sal for construction of a water main by the Borg-Warner Corporation, from plans made by CJiastain-rsurg- ener. The City Council decided to have the contracts let by the city, but Davis still balked at accepting plans given the city by Chastain-Burgener. He was outvoted on the question.

Chastain said he will be a private civil engineering consultant primarily in the fields of industrial and construction work, and that none of his work will be involved with the city. He will keep an office in the same building with Chastain- Burgener. Some City Hall sources specu lated that another reason behind this move is the commissioner's intention to 'seek re-election in 1955, Chastain said he has made no decision on political plans. Commissioner Chastain and Burg ener have been associated since 1926 They formally organized their firm and established the downtown of fice in 1948. E.

M. Chastain, a brother of the came here from Hous ton, in 1952 to become a partner and manager. At that time, Homer Chastain said he would re tain a financial interest and be a technical consultant. The commissioner said the addi tion pt his brother to the tirra would allow him to devote more time to completing a waterworks improvement program then -under way and to plan for expansion of the water supply system. Commissioner Chastain and Burg- 1 1 ener were both ataiey engineers vvhe they first became associated.

Chastain left the Staley Company in 1948, when the othce was opened, after 22 years service. Burgener has been with the firm about 25 years. Chastain was appointed commissioner in 1949 to succeed the late Bushrod Sattley, and was elected for a four-year term in 1951. The Borg-Warner project was the first in which the firm's relationship with any city business was questioned. The firm also prepares subdivision plats, sewer and water main plans, which must be approved by the Council.

Linda Kay Furnish, 10, has a lot of help in learning to use her arms again following an attack of infantile paralysis. Her sister, Julia, 13, is shown adjusting the arm sling on Linda's new wheel chair. The chair, provided by the Two Small Annexed Areas Involved J3y Olive Ruth Hewett Of The Herald Staff Introduction of a legal problem climaxed the end of a public hear ing yesterday on petitions asking a referendum to change Decatur schools to a community unit district, In his concluding statement fol lowing testimony or objectors to the petition, Attorney smith McGaugh- ey questioned both the justification and the legal authority for County Supt. of Schools Robert B. Ernest to call a referendum He challenged the legality for Calling the referendum under existing statutes on the basis of two small areas which have been annexed to Decatur School District 61 since petitions were filed asking for the change to a community unit district.

The areas in question are a small section in a subdivision of South Shores and a widely separated area near Route 51 which was recently annexed to the city. Assuming that a referendum were held and voters approved formation oF a community unit district, McGaughey said, these two areas would remain as the remnants of the special charter Decatur School District 61. Quoting from an article of the state school code, he said no new school district can be organized if its formation leaves areas which are not "compact and contiguous" or which are non-high school districts. McGaughey added that the affected areas would be "non-school" areas and one contains residences and pupils. He cited a court ruling on a case of The People vs.

Camareo which involved a clause for detachment of territory. Decatur's special charter has no provision for detachment of territory. The cited court ruling stated that leaving ot such areas in, formation of new districts cannot be evaded by later changes in school district boundaries. McGaughey also said calling of a referendum is not justified by testimony presented at the hearing. Petitioners presented only three formal witnesses to support reasons for a change.

Objectors presented a parade of witnesses from various civic and professional groups who supported objections to the referendum. 11- ine public inconvenience, ex pense of a referendum and delay in the school building program are not justified on the basis of the three petitioners' testimony, he concluded. tariier witnesses, all supporting the retention of the special charter, reflected opinions from the highly technical problems of architects to the typically personal attitude of a housewife. Mrs. Emily Grothe, 53 South Side Country Club, interrupted formal testimony in the morning session of the hearing in the County Building.

She asked an explanation of what she termed "the old house- wife's problem" of where the money comes from. Mrs. Grothe asked specifically how much a school referendum costs and what happens if the school district's maximum building levy won't meet maintenance costs and bond retirement obligations. County Supt. Ernest's office would bear the expense of a referendum which might be called on the petitions.

He estimated, his cost would be similar or possibly lower than the $1,500 to $1,600 expended by the Board of Education for the Nov. 17 bond referendum. Earlier Mrs. Dorothy Morris, 253 Oakdale expressed her per- sonal opinion after submitting 103 signed statements in favor of the special charter from members of the Decatur Council of Parent-Teacher Associations. "I think it is ridiculous," she said, "for Decatur residents even to consider assuming deliberately the financial problems of the Lakeview District and the other community districts.

I think state legislation should help them solve their problems. "I heard our special charter described here as a toothless old hag' but I want to say that at least she is wearing a fur coat, she concluded. Other witnesses who spoke yester day in support of the special charter and against the proposal to hold a referendum'were: Luther Roehm, chairman of the Association of Commerce education committee R. Wayne Gill, business manager of Millikin University Russell Foval, superintendent of the" Decatur recreation department M. E.

Bailey, former treasurer of independents' drop yesterday, remaining at 22.9 for regular and 27.9 tor ethyl, in most cases. Ihe majors had followed the independ ents lead in earlier cuts. The majors' were reported ready to drop prices another cent at 4:30 p.m. yesterday, but the others did not come through, dealers said. Caterpillar Contract to Be Let by Feb.

15 A contract for preparation of the site of the new Caterpillar Tractor Co. plant here will be let by Feb. 15, a company spokesman said yesterday. Work will presumably begin soon after, he said. The exact date the contract will be let won't be known until bids are studied and a contractor select ed, he said.

Several firms have been invited to make bids for the which will include grading, earthmoving and possibly the pouring of some footings. The work is to be done on the 340-acrs site north of the Illinois Central Railroad on either side of North 27th Street. The area was purchased by Caterpillar last summer for the plant. Construction cost of the plant has been estimated at in a building permit issued by Zoning Administrator Alan Buck- on Nov, 25.. What portion of that figure will be included in the site preparation contract is not known, the spokes man said.

The company plans to manufac ture three sizes of motor graders and three types of wheel tractors when the plant here is put in operation. Total employment at full production has been estimated at 2,500. LOWELL K. SILKW00D HURT IN COLLISION Lowell K. Silkwood, 29, of 2111 E.

Whitmer St. was injured at 6:36 p.m. yesterday in a traffic accident in the 1900 block tast fcldorado at. Taken to Wabash Employes Hos pital in a Dawson Wikoff ambulance, Silkwood remained under treatment for lip cuts and concus-ii i ii, i. sion.

He had several teeth Knocked out. Police reported Silkwood, going west, ran into the rear of the parked car of William J. O'Brien of 542 N. Monroe St. The Brien car was knocked over the curbing into a utility pole.

Damage was $500 to the Silkwood car and $600 to the O'Brien auto. Macon County chapter of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, is fitted with a table and support for the right arm, which was most seriously damaged from paralysis. (Herald and Review Photo) The Citizens' Advisory Committee of the Argenta Community Unit School Distnct has recommended drawing up tentative building plans for a three-room addition to White Grade School. Students now attending Renshaw and Oreana Grade Schools will have better educational opportunities if their schools are consolidated with White, the committee decided. The present buildings at Oreana and Renshaw are substandard from the standpoint of health and safety, the committee said, and are expen- Ordered Verdict Favors ITRR Jury trial of a $45,000 claim for injuries to Orville Kelley in April, 1950 was halted yesterday with a directed verdict in favor of the Illinois Terminal Railroad Company.

The suit for the personal injury damages had been filed in Macon County Circuit Court before Kellev, of 992 E. Eldorado St was killed in a highway accident at Wyckles Cor ner last February. Circuit Judge Martin E. Morth- land directed the verdict in favor of the defendant railroad company yes terday alter testimony tor the plaintiff was concluded. A directed verdict was asked in a motion by de fense counsel.

It had been claimed in the com plaint that Kelley had received back and rib injuries when he fell from a truck at a Terminal crossing east of Decatur. -Yesterday afternoon Judge Morth- land dismissed the jury in closing the current schedule of civil tnals Conyer Passes Exams Billy M. Conyer, 625 W. Olive has received notice trora the state board of examiners in account ancy at -the University ot Illinois that he has passed his certified pub lic accountant examination. A 1950 graduate of Millikin University, Conyer is an accountant for the Illinois Power Company.

No specific proposal for the amount to be asked of the city was mentioned, it would not be major proportion of the estimated cost of $300,000. Buck said the present slough and river spans are at the 616-toot level. The new spans-are planned at 624-foot level. rie expiaineu uiai uic uuui uuuu it. 1 1 .1 fl -l fraction ovef 67 feet.

The state requires bridges to be at least 2 -feet above this point. The additional elevation anticipates a higher lake and flood level after the dam is The proposed relocation of the bridges would move them south of the site selected by Army engineers for a flood control dam on the Sangamon River and straighten out the curves. While there is no foreseeable ac tion by the federal government for possibly 10 years, city water supply requirements may mean local construction of a reservoir dam within that period. Also discussed briefly yesterday was Lost Bridge, which the high way committee wants to replace. It was decided, however, that any cost-sharing policy discussions with the city should be on each individual project.

Chi, 10, Making Progress in Use of Poio Damaged Muscles Treatments Big Aid to Linda Furnish California about 25 vears ago, had been in ill health for about a year. She was born in Bement on Dec. 1, 1889, the daughter of Michael and Amy Lipnight. bhe is survived bv a sister, Mrs. Gertrude Campbell, Decatur, and a brother, Ralph, Bement.

Mrs. Lipnight was a member ot the Presbyterian Church. The body will be returned to the J. Moran Sons Funeral Home. Arrangements are incomplete.

R. FOSTER OPENING REAL ESTATE OFFICE A new real estate agency will be officially opened here Monday by Ralph K. i-oster, 1343 W. River- view Ave. The agency, to be known as Fos ter's Real Estate, will have offices at 625 Standard Office Building.

roster, who was discharged last May from the 44th Division, where he served as company commander of the 44th signal Company, said he would have no associates at present. A 1947 graduate of Millikin Uni versity, roster received his realtor license last October. He is 33. LINN SCRUGGS HAS $16,000 TOTAL ASSETS A statement of condition bv the Linn Scruggs credit union lists total assets at more than $16,000, according to Harry H. Lathrop, sec retary-treasurer.

Ihe credit union has a membership of 45. Loans last year amounted to $4,170: A 2 per cent dividend was declared. These officers were elected in a meeting Friday: R. H. Daghlian, president Lelia Malone, vice president Harry H.

Lathrop. Charge Withdrawn A warrant charging Mitchel M. Grigsby, 559 N. Jackson St. with assault on Dorothy Hodge yesterday was withdrawn on payment of costs ot $13.20 to Police Magistrate E.

A. achroeder. Assault Denied Cecil K. Downs, 32, of 2009 Charles charged by Mary Downs with assault, pleaded inno cent and was released under $300 bond pending a hearing Feb. 5 before Police Magistrate E.

A. Schroe- der. Millikin Exams Semester final examinations be gin at Millikin University today and continue through lhursday. Registration for the spring semes ter will be Feb. 2 and 3 and classes will start Feb.

4. With the Sick Police Patrolman Charles Constant entered Decatur and Macon County Hospital yesterday for an emergency appendectomy. City Asked to Share Rea's Bridge Cost Linda Kay Furnish, 10, posing for her picture in her new wheel chair, jumped when the flash bulb wentorh "A few weeks ago she couldn't have jumped like that," her mother, Mrs. Fred Furnish of 4210 E. Lake- wood told the photographer.

Linda had infantile paralysis last August and was in the hospital un til Nov. 14. Both legs and both arms are affected, the right ones more seriously than the left. The new wheel chair is a big help. Linda has some use of her left arm and she keeps busy making craft articles.

In the hospital she began weaving belts and making hot pads. At home she is working with sewing cards to exercise her hands. At Christmas her fifth grade class mates gave her a woodbumihg set to add to her collection ot crart materials. Linda can't attend school now but a visiting teacher comes to her home for an hour each aay. Daily trips for physical therapy treatments at Decatur and Macon County Hospital break the long afternoon hours for Linda.

Her mother says she is making a lot of progress in learning to use muscles of her left arm and leg and she has also learned to move the right ones. Although wheel chairs remain the property of the local board of National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, each is custom made to fit the size and need of the patient. A. W. Wolfe, himself a wheel chair patient but not a polio victim County highway authorities asked the city yesterday to bear a share of the cost relocating and rebuilding two bridge spans at riea Bridge.

Mavor Robert E. Willis told them he will call a City Couricil meeting, next week if it can be ar ranged, to discuss the proposal. Chairman T. A. Brinkoetter of the county nignway the county feels the city should ac-j cept some cost responsibility because of water supply plans.

Highway Supt. Alan N. Buck said about four feet must be a3ded to the elevation of the proposed new structures because the city' is raising the Lake Decatur dam. Brinkoetter and Buck the highway committee needs an an swer from the city to iormuiate a program which will be presented to the (Jounty board in March. The two highway officials stress ed the urgent need for rebuilding Rea Bridge, and Buck said he hopes contracts for the improvement can be let this year.

Mayor Willis and Water Com missioner Homer L. Chastain made no committments, but admitted seeing merit in the county's request. They met with Buck and four members of the highway committee. furnishes the chairs at cost to the the chairs by about half their regu-local chapter, reducing expenses for liar Tetail value. Turn to Page 10 'School Hearing'.