The Decatur Daily Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 28

TWENTY -EIGHT PAGES TODAY THE DECATUR REVIEW Decatur, Illinois, TednexIay, Julv 9, 1958. WTVP'sNew Owners Elect 5 Directors Stockholders of Prairie Televi School Budget Hiked Taxes at Limit City's Income $200,000 Less Than Budget The city expects an income of $3,918,450 this fiscal year for a proposed budget of $4,105,249. This apparent $200,000 deficit I 1 It Sr -A rev Proposed Dam Seen as Aid To Scout Camp The recent passage by Congress of the waterways bill including a federal dam on the Kaskaskia River at Shelbyville has opened a new opportunity for camping in Lincoln Trails Boy Scout Council. Donald E. Berg, council executive, said the lake which will be formed bv construction of the new dam will greatly increase the possibilities of council use of about 150 acres it owns along the Kaskaskia in that area.

The land, known as Podesta Big Timber Camp, is one of several council properties recommended in December for increased development by Herbert Saum, deputy re- gional scout executive from Chicago. "Our plan is to reactivate and enlarge the council's camp development committee," Berg said. "We're not sure of anything," he said, "but we have a problem." He cited over-crowded conditions and over-use of land at Camp Robert Faries on Lake Decatur. He said the number of boys of scout age has increased and already too small a percentage of boys in the council are able to take part in council camping activities. "It is desireable to use Camp Troyer home, to sit up hand command.

Eloise, whose ori Jury Convicts Dowd Ex-Tavern Operator does not mean the city will go into i debt nor does it mean a windfall iof $200,000 would make the city finances come out even. Both of these factors result from the oddities of municipal finance and the laws governing it. In fact, Finance Commissioner Jack W. Loftus puts little stock i in totaling expected income from all sources into one lump sum and comparing ii against all expenses, i also grouped into one large figure. For instance, at the end of the i year the water department may have a good surplus.

I hat information mieht have been known months before the fiscal year ended. But, 1 the hard-pressed general fund could not use anv of the surplus, with out paving it back later. That's because as separate de partments they are not allowed to transfer funds, except on a strict loan basis. Some Items Not Spent Also, not all appropriations in a budget are usually spent during the fiscal vear. That does not mean budgets are padded.

Rather, it indicates some looking ahead. In the event that money remains available after basic needs, it can be used for a specific purpose. The general fund is going to be budgeted for $1,399,968 of ex penses. Anticipated actual income is SI, 292,934 The water fund budget will be $1,786,776. That includes 000 for buying land for a Big Creek Reservoir, although that is not expected to be done this year.

The anticipated income for the water department is $1,593,753. The special funds, those, which finance the Public Library and a number of other agencies and ac counts, have appropriations total ing $910,430. Income is pegged at 5.843,663. The city's parking system is a separate item, like the water, gen eral and specific funds. The budg et, lor bonds, interest and maintenance, is $132,475.

Anticipated income is $186,100. That is the only fund which anticipates more income than outgo. The surplus will be set aside for future parking developments. Shop Center Work Starts Demolition of buildings on site of the proposed Northland Shopping Center in the 29001 Park Swing Areas Now Blacktopped to Save Shoes, Ground Muddy shoes and dirty clothes on children who use the swings in five playgrounds are expected to be reduced. The Park District has black-topped the surface under the swings at Lions, Gallowav, Hess, Oak Grove and Kiwanis Parks.

Adult Recreation Clubs at the first three parks paid for the sur-' facing. In addition to saving shoes, the district expects to save the costs of refilling the ground area each Vear. Ordnance Check Begins In Decatur A survey of Decatur's ability to produce material for Army ordnance was started yesterday. R. B.

Martin, chief of the mobilization section of the Army's Chicago Ordnance District, met with industrial leaders to outline requirements and seek data on Decatur plants. Martin said the survev, though routine, was hurried along by designation of Decatur as an area of substantial labor surplus. The designation was made May 30 as the result of a survey after an appeal by the Decatur joint executive (ward of the Allied Industrial Workers. Data gathered in the survey will be held for reference when a plant bids on ordnance contracts. The information can also be used in making plans for possible emergency mobilization.

Martin said he has no connection with Navy plans for the now closed Macon Arms bomb and projectile plant. Each sen-ice makes its own plant survevs, he said, with coordination only at the highest level. Before meeting with die group of industrialists Martin met with B. L. Mantle, chairman of the Assn.

of Commerce industrial development committee; Henrv II. Bolz. executive secretary of the A of and V. Q. LaPage, Allied Industrial Workers regional director.

B0RCHERS' BEATING Selection of Jury for Rhodes Brothers Trial Starts Selection of a jury began in County Court today in the trial of two Decatur brothers charged with the acrcrravated assault and batterv of A. Webber Borchers, Decatur; Township assistant supervisor. Facing trial are Emmett Rhodes, 39, and Charles Rhodes, 42. Borchers was hospitalized three days last January follow B. R.

for ing a Kpafino npar liic Tnnlpl af Rnrrh ers Corner. TK Krmhr. inAirtoA transferred trom Circuit Court to County Court. X-Ray Bus About 150 received free chest X-ravs at the Illinois Power Co. Sen-ice Building, 2400 N.

Jasper St. yesterday. The X-ray bus, sponsored by the Macon Countv Tuberculosis Assn was at the Illinois Power Co. Meter Building, 2700 N. Broadway.

Tomorrow the bus will operate from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. and from noon to 4:30 p.m. at the General Electric Co. on North 22nd street. ADMITS ROBBERY Willie Clay Phillips, 19, of 540 Greenwood pleaded guilty today in Circuit Court to a robbery charge.

A hearing on his request for probation will be set at a later date. "'Hi twaw 1 1 Conservationist Harry Beeson, Lake Superintendent Lew Ensign, and Henry Bolz, Assn. of Commerce general manager. Herald and Review Photo) sion owner and operator of television station WTVP, elected a board of directors vesterday at a meeting in Decatur. Controlling interest in the sta-.

tion was sold in April bv W. L. Shellabarger to a group of 1 3 men headed by George A. Bolas, a Chi- cago advertising executive. The request for transferrins ownership of the station before the rederal Communications Commis sion indicated the sales nric $200,000.

Shellabarger retains some stock in the company. Phil Harris, band leader and en tertainer, attended the meeting as a business friend of the new owners. He left Decatur in his own plane last night. Elected to the board of directors were: Bolas Shellabarger Clark Swanson, of the Swanson Frozen Food Co. which was re cently bought bv Campbell Souo Co.

Phillip Zimmerlv, attorney in Champaign Arthur E. Tatham, of Tatham-Laird a Chicago advertising finn. Other new stockholders of the station not previously announced are: Gilbert Swanson, brother of Clark, both of Omaha, Neb. W. J.

McEdwards of the National Broadcasting Co. radio network in Chicago John K. Laird of the Tatham-Laird advertising firm David A. Preston, advertising manager of the Chicago Sun-Times George W. Diefenderfer, manager of the National Broadcasting Co.

radio network in Chicago C. R. Stanten, Hinsdale, of the Tatham-Laird advertising firm Julian Gross, New Hartford, president of the New Britain Broadcasting Co. G. H.

Neale, Elkhart, real estate and insurance man H. L. Crites, Minneapolis, with General Mills. Two Held in Extortion Plot Two Decatur men were behind bars todav as the result of a police trap in Nelson Park about 6:30 p.m. vesterday in a reported extor- tion plot.

Held in city jail today charged with extortion bv threats are: Emerson J. Camden, 29, of 1 853 N. Walnut Grove Ave. John A. Furrv, 28, of 805 N.

College St. Police said Camden has made a statement admitting his part in the attempt to extort a Decatur man ot $300. The warrant tor his arrest charges that he threatened to reveal "information, literature or pictures" damaging to their victim. Camden was arrested on complaint of Harry Wheeler, 1535 W. Decatur to whom the letter was directed.

Police Capt. Otto A. Salefski gave this account: Camden went to Wheeler's house about 11:30 a. m. yesterday and left the letter with Wheeler's mother, Mrs.

Pearl Wheeler. At that time Wheeler was at work. Mrs. Wheeler read the letter and took it to police, who contacted her son. The letter demanded that Wheeler leave $300 in the Test room of the Nelson Park pavilion, and made threats of what would occur if this was not done.

A dummy package was made up to resemble monev, and Saletiki instructed Wheeler to leave it in the pavilion as directed in the letter. Salefski, accompanied by Sgt. Dale Schawitsch, Detectives J.W. Scott and E.D. Phipps, Park Po lice Officers Francis Horn and Carl Mosscr and Park Custodian B.F.

Knapp then went to the park and kept watch on the pavil ion. The monev was left in the rest room about 6:30 p.m. Camden en tered, and as arrested as he came out. Salefski said that hen searched the package left by Wheeler was found on Camden person. DENIES CHARGE James E.

Grennan, 31, of 1031 N. Hill pleaded innocent today to a charge of driving while intoxicated. He was arrested early today in the 200 Block N. Main where police said he was driving erratically. Grennan was re leased from countv jail on S500 bond pending hearing Julv 22- be fore Justice of the Peace J.

Neelv Martin. i rates for Decatur schools vrill probably be the maximum le gal rates next year to yield income for a 1958-59 budget of 074. The new budget was given ten tative approval last night by the Board of Education. It is nearly half a million dollars higher than the 1957-58 budget of 408. The fiscal year for the schools begins on July 1.

Maximum Decatur school tax rates are $1.80 for the educational fund and 37 cents for the build ing fund on each $100 of assessed property valuation. For taxes collected this year, the Decatur school rate was set at $1.37 for the educational fund and 37 Vi cents for the building fund. Supt. Lester Grant said the 1958 rate was low because the school board could not know in advance that the state would raise the Macon Countv multiplier and there fore its total valuation for tax purposes. Had the facts been known in advance, the levy could have been higher and a dehcit could Lave been avoided.

The new budget corrects the situation by setting high lew to make sure the schools have as mucn income as possible under valuations which will be determined next Jan uarv. The 1958-59 budget sets a levy of $4,800,000 for the educational fund and $1,500,000 for the building fund. Last year's levies were $3,400,000 for the educational fund and $1,300,000 for the building fund. The schools expect to sell tax antkination warrants before the end of the school year next June 30 because 60 per cent of the 1959 tax collections will not be available before the end of the schools' fiscal year. Building Fund Drops A breakdown of budget items shows the expenses for the educational fund are higher than last rear and the expenses for the building fund are lower.

With a large building program completed, the building fund expenses for the 1958-59 year dropped $167,000 below last year's totals. The increases in the educational fund are the result of higher enrollments and operation of the new buildings. The district hired 26 additional teachers for the next school year to handle the growing enrollments. A new administrative assistant has been hired to handle the growing load of research, studies on enrollment trends and future school needs. An increase of $40,030 for library books and materials is allocated in an effort to bring Decatur school libraries up to state standards.

At present the two new high schools have minimum libraries and many of the volumes are on loan from the state. In addition to local tax income, the schools receive funds from the state and federal governments and from special local projects such as building trades, lunches and rents. State aid payments, estimated at $1,300,000, are down $40,000 from last year because the total is based on average daily attendance and last October's influenza epidemic eut the daily attendance figures. Anticipated income from all sources is $741,803 higher than last year. to Public The budget is open to public inspection for a month before final approval.

It can be examined -at the school offices in the Keil -Administration Building at Cerro Gordo and North Main Streets. Major items budgeted for the educational fund, with the comparable figure for last year in par--entheses, are: Instruction, $5,023,803 Operation of plant, $660,906 ($575,964) Capital outlay 5188,900 General control (administrative salaries, legal sen-ice, elections, and other items), $153,023 Auxiliary activities (visual aids, health sen-ices, adult education, iand other items.) $149,396 204) Maintenance, $14,250 000) Fixed charges (insurance, municipal retirement fund, anticipation warrant interest), $83,500 ($78,289) Major building fund expenditures, with 1957-58 figures in parentheses, are: Debt service (payment of prin- block N. Water St. started Iast.the granj jurv the case wa's ginal curly white hair is now dved pink, was born deaf. Th city liquor license for Jim's Niche was renewed Julv 1 in the name of his wife, Margie L.

Dowd. The license for Jim's Tap, a tavern at 571 N. Water has been transferred to Jim's Tap, a newly-formed corporation that lists Margie L. Dowd, Richard Bishop and Joseph E. Doane as officers.

City License Inspector Otto Ku-jawa said Dowd- and his attorney requested the license changes "two or three weeks ago." He said he made an investigation of the persons involved and spoke to Mayor Clarence A. Sa-blotnv, head of the liquor commission about it. Byron M. Merris, city corporation counsel, said vesterday was the first he has heard of the transfer. He said he could not say whether the transfer fulfilled provisions of the city ordinance without examination of it and the facts surrounding the transfer.

Asked if he would do this, he replied todav: "I haven't been instructed to. If I'm asked to give an opinion I usually give it." State's Atty. Hilmer C. Land-holt said he would investigate the status of the taverns' licenses. The jury's sentence of Dowd is the stiffest seen in recent years against a tavern operator.

The maximum fine is SI 00 but the maximum jail term is six months. Prosecutions of tavern owners, who stand to lose their liquor licenses on conviction, have not been freuuent. TRAFFIC SAFETY IS BUREAU GROUP TOPIC The women's activity committee of the Macon Count' Farm Bureau was scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. today to plan county observance of a Farm Bureau statewide traffic safety campaign. One committeewoman from each township will help, with the plans.

Main emphasis of the local campaign is expected to be placed on urging farmers to clear crops and tall weeds which obstruct vision at countv road intersections. D0RSEY TICKETS Ticket prices for the Jimmy Dorsey show July 28 at the Decatur and Macon County Fair were incorrectly reported yesterday. The prices are $1.75 and $2 for reserved seats, $1.25 for general: admission. Tour Lake isconsin group, headed by Mayor Alvin Beers, is seeking a solution to problems which Decatur faced a few years ago before Lake Lecatur was raised. sr.

Judy Kav Trover gets Eloise, toy poodle visiting in the UN-HANDICAPPED DOG Visitor at Troyer Home Works From Hand Signal Commands Being deaf is not so bad if you happen to be a lovable pink Poodle. Eloise, a pet toy Poodle which is visiting the O. E. Trover family at 106 N. Oakdale this summer, gets along very well with out hearing.

She gets her com mands from hand signals and strong vibrations. Her owners stomp on the floor to attract her attention when she is not looking their way. The dog was born deaf and originally had curlv white fur to so along with her black eves. The pink dye was originally applied lor a wedding last year and looked so fetching that it was continued as a permanent part of her grooming. She belongs to Mrs.

J. L. Fordvce of runt. a sister of Mr. Troyer.

Judy Kay Trover, 9, was visiting her Michigan aunt and learned how to handle the deaf pet. She and her parents brought Eloise to Decatur while Mr. and Mrs. Fordyce are on vacation trip. After all, a pink pet like Eloise could hardly be expected to board in an ordinary kennel.

She knows a number of tricks and is learning to step on a bell to signal her desire to go outdoors. Bids Due on New Hospital Sealed bids on general construction of the new St. Mary's Hospital were due at 2 p.m. today and scheduled to be opened later this afternoon at the hospital. The sealed bids will be opened in private.

Attending the opening will be the board of directors of the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis; the architect; Sister M. Jane, the administrator, and three members of the advisory board. At least five of the 26 general contractors who were interested in the. seven million dollar hospital project have submitted bids.

Traffic Arrest James Jackson, 939 N. Folk was fined $30 for driving too tast lor conditions in the 300 Block S. Broadwav. With the Sick Cecil McVey, 1596 N. Water formerly a Mount Auburn farmer, has entered St.

John's Hospital in Springfield for therapy and observation. Playground Program Recreation Department events today and tomorrow include: Wednesday Square dancing, 7 p.m., Gallo-wav Night movie, Johns Hill, "Rawhide Years" Thursday Band concert and ice cream social, 6:30 p.m., Johns Hill Night movie, Mueller Day camp, children picked up at Oak Grove, Garfield and Fair-view Playgrounds Adult Recreation Club picnic, Lions, 6:30 p.m. Hobby show, 1 p.m., Muffley Puppet show, all playgrounds Tournaments, tether ball and bean bag, all playgrounds Tennis lessons, 9 a.m., Galloway: 10:30 a Torrence Chess lessons, 9 a.m., Woodrow Wilson, 10:30 a.m., South Shores: 1:30 p.m., Johns Hill; 3 p.m., Muffley Baton lessons. 9:15 a.m., Tor rence: 10:43 a.m. Kiwanis: 1:30 p.m., Lions; 3 p.m, Sout Shores.

James C. Dowd, former operator of Jim's Niche Tavern, was found guilty by a County Court jury yesterday of selling liquor to a minor. The jury sentenced him to a 60-dav jail term and a $100 fine. After less than an hour deliberation the jurv found him guilty of the liquor sale last Nov. 2 to a 19-year-old Decatur boy at Dowd's tavern at 1464 E.

William St. Dowd's attorneys indicated they would move for a new trial. They have 10 days to file a written motion. The conviction, under state law. makes him liable for forfeiture of his liquor license but it was learned yesterday that the licenses to both taverns formerly operated bv him have been transferrd.

H. G. Kemper Heads Federal Hathaway G. Kemper of Chicago was elected president of Fed eral Mutual Insurance which has headquarters at 666 N. Water Decatur.

Kemper replaces James S. Kemper who remains as chairman of the board of federal Mutual, for merly American Farmers Mutual Insurance Co. Kemper's election has no effect on the executive officers in Deca tur, according to officials in De catur. B. C.

Dahlmann, 4183 E. Lake Shore Dr. executive vice president of the company, remains as chief executive of the Decatur headquar ters. lwo other otticers were also elected to Federal Mutual. They are John A.

Mills, vice president, and O. Cameron Moffatt, assistant treasurer, both of Chicago. Hathaway Kemper was recently elected chairman of two other Kemper Insurance group divisions, Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Co. and American Motorists Insurance Co. He also is president of Ameri can Manufacturers Mutual Insur ance another Kemper affiliate.

Mills is manager of Kemper's statistical department and vice president and actuary of Lumbermens, American Motorists and American Manufacturers. Moffatt is head of the companies' fire division accounting and statistical department and treasurer ot American Manufacturers. Officials of Two Cities imm Water Commissioner Homer L. Chastain, seated in center of boat in foreground, led a Beaver Dam, group on a tour of Lake Decatur todav. The Robert Faries for short-term camping and as a training camp and find a more suitable solution to the matter of long-term camping," Berg said.

Camp Robert Faries includes 22 acres, 18 owned by the Decatur Park District. The camp has been used as the council's major camp site since 1925. National Boy Scout Council recommends about one acre area in a camp for each boy who This week at Camp Robert Faries there were 118 bovs camping, along with eight leaders. Berg said if Camp Podesta is developed for any use by the council it probably will be necessary for the council to acquire more adjoining land. The Shelbyville dam project is not expected to be completed un til 1964 and funds for the dam have not yet been appropriated.

Berg said three or four vears of planning might be necessary before anv major development of the Podesta area could begin, but use of the area for camping already is increasing and most likely will con tinue to increase. cipal and interest on building bonds), $651,748 (S610.520) Capital outlay (building im provement and expansion), 027 (5494,200) Maintenance, $255,896 Fixed charges (insurance, inter est, bank charges) (S69.837) Board Accepts Bids; Dilays Annexation Vote Bids on typewriter service, steel shelving and tires were opened bv the Board of Education last night and low bidders were awarded contracts. No action was taken on two petitions for annexation because a unanimous vote is required and' Paul Smallu-rwv? wac nor mwnt af! the meenng. A request from civil defense of ficials for permission to install air raid sirens on five school buildings was approved. The buildings are Mound, Muffley, Southeast, Pershing and South Shores elementary schools.

A. H. Niemann received the contract to service the 220 type writers used bv Decatur schools. His bid was $3.60 for each machine. There were three other bid ders.

B. F. Goodrich received the con tract for purchase of eight school bus tires and one tire for a school truck. The bid was $364, lowest among six bids. Two firms shared contracts for steel shelving to be placed at Eis enhower High School in the ath letics and physical education department and for books at a number of Decatur schools.

Miller Industrial Supply 2104 E. Locust received a con tract for 54,457. Morehouse Wells Wholesale Co. received a contract for another tvpe of steel shelving tor a total amount of 063. week.

Tearing down of a small retail store and one of the three houses on the property have been completed. Part of the Gulf Oil Co. service station has been dismantled. Development of the property into a 7-store shopping center and service station is being dnne bv Kenneth L. Huston, f3ecatur real estate man, and Joseph L.

Giddan, Peoria. Plans call for an earlv fall opening of the center, which will have a Kroger Grocery Co. supermarket as its principal store. Other stores in the center will be a drug store, a cleaners, a laundromat, a hardware store, a television store and a barber shop. Huston said the development of the 3.2 acre property will cost from 5320,000 to S400.000.

Construe tion will be done by Millwright rectors Lx. ot 1'eon a Mayor Beers was accompanied by five others. The Decatur delegation included Mavor Clarence Sablotnv, Health Commissioner Roscoe Graves, fir vj ii v4.