The Bluffton news. [volume], March 28, 1940, Image 1

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BLUFFTON NEWS
The Advertising Medium for
Bluffton Trade Territory
VOLUME NO. LXIV
OPEN POSTOFFICE
BIDS ON APRIL 24
Bids to be Opened in Washing
ton for Construction of
Building Here
Work on New Federal Building
For Bluffton Expected to
Start Soon
Construction this summer of
Bluffton’s long deferred post office
building, for which federal funds
were appropriated in 1938, was in
dicated with announcement Monday
that bids for the general contract
will be opened in Washington, D. C.
on Wednesday, April 24.
Altho no date has been set for
the start of work, it is expected that
construction of the building will be
under way by early summer.
Plans and specifications released
this week by the Public Buildings
Administration call for a one-story
building of colonial design. This
will be erected on the postoffice site
at the Northwest corner of Main
and Franklin streets, purchased in
1938.
Brick Colonial Building
Exterior walls of the structure
will be faced with brick, and the
colonial trim will be of wood and
stone. Windows will be wood and
metal framed.
A pitched slate roof surmounted
with chimney type ventilators at
either end will cover the front por
tion of the building, and a flat com-
A photo of Bluffton’s new
postoffice as it will look when
completed is on display in the
News window. The photo, an
artist’s sketch made from archi
tect’s drawings, was received
from Washington, Tuesday after
noon.
position roof will be used over the
rear. Foundation walls and floor
slabs will be of concrete.
A large lobby is specified for
public convenience. It will be 12
feet wide, providing space for five
service windows and more than 50
bronze lock boxes. A terrazzo floor,
marble wainscot and plaster walls
and ceilings will give the lobby a
decorative appearance.
Adjoining the lobby on the lefti
will be the postmaster’s office, and
other departments in the building
will include the large work room,
office space for the financial depart
ment, a storage room and a room
for carriers.
$80,000 Allotment
An allotment of $80,000 was made
in July of 1938 under the Federal
Public Buildings Appropriation Act
to* provide for Bluffton’s new post
office. This fund is to include pur
chase of the site, construction of the
building and defray administrative
costs.
Bids for the general contract will
be opened at Washington, D. C. at
1 p. m., Wednesday, April 24.
Gypsy Melodies To
Be Heard Wednesday
Haunting strains of gypsy melo
dies will be heard when the Conti
nental Gypsy Ensemble appears in
the high school auditorium this Wed
nesday night at 8:30 o’clock. The
program is one of the numbers of
the Bluffton College Music course.
The group under direction of Ador
Berger, appears in costume in a
form of entertainment that is new
and original both in character and
presentation and has been well re
ceived in metropolitan music centers.
Receive $200 From
Hospital Bazaar
The sum of $200 was realized
from the hospital benefit Easter
bazaar held last Saturday at the C.
F. Niswander implement store, ac
cording to Mrs. Lloyd V an Meter,
chairman of the ways and means
committee of the Woman’s Auxiliary
which sponsored the project.
Mrs. Van Meter expressed thanks
of the committee to all those who
aided in any way in the success of
the bazaar. Any further contribu
tions toward the fund should be left
at the Citizens bank this week. All
proceeds are used for benefit of
Bluffton hospital.
Births
The following births at Bluffton
hospital:
Mr. and Mrs. Carson Marshall of
Beaverdam, a daughter, Thursday.
Mr. and Mrs. Don Coffin, Bluffton,
a son, Monday. Mrs. Coffin is the
former Yolanda Hofer, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hofer.
Saturday Last Day
To Buy Auto Tags
Next Saturday will be the last
day of grace for Bluffton
torists who have not yet
1940 auto tags and who
operate their cars
Sunday.
area mo
purchased
expect to
midnight
after
up some-
picked
a heavy rush is
Sale of tags has
what this week, but
expected on Friday and Saturday,
Robert Lewis, Bluffton area dis
tributor, announced Tuesday.
Motorists who operate automobiles
after midnight Sunday with 1939
plates will be liable to arrest and
fines, local law enforcement
pointed out. No extension
deadline will be made.
officials
of the
Sunday
No tags can be bought on
and as a consequence rushing busi
ness is expected on the two preced
ing days at distribution headquarters
in the Steiner Chevrolet garage.
RETURNS FAVOR
GARBAGE SYSTEM
larly Returns of Question
naires Show Large Major
ity Want Service
Council to Consider Establish
ing Municipal Garbage
Collection Here
Sentiment favorable to the estab
lishment of a municipal system of col
lecting and disposing of garbage is in
dicated in early returns to a question
naire mailing last week to every
Bluffton householder.
Mayor Wilbur A. Howe announced
that answers have been received from
more than one-fourth of the 600 re
ply cards mailed last Thursday by the
town administration.
Of those replying approximately 85
per cent are in favor of the proposal
to establish a town-wide system of
collecting and disposing of garbage,
ashes, tin cans and rubbish, the mayor
said.
Cost $2 Annually
Cost to each householder for the
service is estimated at $2 a year, pay
able 50 cents quarterly at the mayor’s
office.
Other Bluffton residents who re
ceived cards are requested to mark
the postage-free reply card and mail
to the mayor by Friday Jn order
liaFevery fatnily Mn have an oppor
tunity to express their sentiment on
the proposal.
Anyone who failed to receive a
card explaining the system may ob
tain one at the mayor’s office, Mayor
Howe said.
Sentiment is Sought
No signature is required on the re
turn card. Purpose of the mailing is
to determine the sentiment of the
residents as regards municipal gar
bage collection, and returning the
card does not obligate anyone in any
way.
Action takn in the matter by the
town council will be guided to a great
extent by the sentiment expressed in
the return postal cards.
With more than 500 residences in
the tow’n, not counting apartments
and business houses, the collection of
garbage twice a week w’ould be a full
time job. Should the plan be approved
bids will be accepted for the work.
Would Let Contract
The $2 per year rate for private
houses would not apply to business
places having large quantities of gar
bage. For these a higher rate would
be set. Should total receipts for the
collection service fail to cover the
contract bid for the work, it is pro
posed that the town make up the defi
cit.
i Compusory participation in the pro
gram would not be required, but any
householder who did not cooperate
would be held responsible for the sat
isfactory disposal of his garbage and
rubbish.
Systematic collection and disposal
of garbage, tin cans, etc., throut the
spring and summer will be necessary
to make Bluffton’s new mosquito con
trol program a success, it was pointed
out
by Mayor Howe.
LIBRARY CLOSED
The Bluffton public library will be
closed all day Saturday for cleaning,
it is announced by Miss Ocie Ander
son, librarian.
Rivalling the lavishness of nature
on the fabled “Big Rock Candy
Mountain”, maple sugar icicles were
found hanging from trees on Main
street Tuesday evening.
Sap oozing from maple trees in
the vicinity of the high school build-
MAY START FISH
HATCHERY HERE
Negotiations are Under Way by
Sportsmen’s Club to Raise
Bluegills
Fish from Hatchery Would be
Used for Stocking Waters
Near Bluffton
small
being
Com­
Possibility of establishing a
fish hatchery in Bluffton is
investigated by the Bluffton
munity Sportsmen’s club, and pre
liminary negotiations have indicated
the proposal likely will become a
reality.
If the hatchery is located here,
bluegills will be raised
forced feeding system and
an extensive fish stocking
in the Bluffton area.
under a
used for
program
required
Dimensions of the pool
for hatchery purposes should be ap
proximately 150 and 50 feet, with a
depth of from two to four feet. A
sand bottom would be needed.
Funds Available
Members of the Sportsmen’s club
already have found several promis
ing locations, and prospects for the
hatchery have been made brighter
by the announcement that outside
funds will be available to help fi
nance the program.
Bluegills of breeding stock can
be obtained without charge from the
state conservation department. It
is estimated that approximately two
years would be required to raise
about 12,000 bluegills for stocking
purposes. All fish raised here would
be released in the Bluffton area.
For spawn feeding, minute marine
vegetation would be put in the pool,
and after the
stage ground
quired.
fish reach the adult
carp would be re­
Area Sought
Marshy
Most suitable location of the pool
would be in a marshy area where a
regular change of water can
made available, it was pointed
by the sportsmen’s group.
be
out
200
has
fish
fish
Made up of approximately
members, the Sportsmen’s club
been an active factor in local
and game propagation, but the
hatchery proposal is the most am
bitious that has heretofore been sug
gested by the group.
Officers of the club includes Jess
Manges, president Silas Dillerr
vice-president, and Dallas Berry,
secretary-treasurer.
N ear-Zero Weather
On Easter Sunday
Mid-winter weather, with temper
atures near the zero mark, spoiled
Bluffton’s Easter fashion parade
spring finery last Sunday.
of
of
to
Climaxing a four-day wave
frigid weather, temperatures fell
a mark of eight above zero Easter
Sunday, and failed to climb above
the freezing point at any
ing the day.
time dur-
interfered
for child-
Inclement w’eather also
with the Easter Egg hunt
ren of the towm, which had to be
held in the American Legion Hall
Saturday afternoon instead of at
Harmon field.
Nearly 65 dozens of colored eggs
passed into the possession of eager
kiddies in the egg hunt, and in var
ious contests. The American Legion
and the Legion Auxiliary sponsored
the event.
Special services were held in Bluff
ton area churches in observance of
the day.
Choir Sings Here On
Eve Of Concert Tour
Last local
Maple Sugar Icicles Prove
Latest Spring Sweet Delicacy
of the Bluff
choir before
a 2000-mile
appearance
A Capella
leaves on
ton college
the group
spring concert tour will be made at
7:30 p. m. Sunday in the First Men
nonite church.
After singing at the public con
cert here Sunday night, the choir
will leave Bluffton Thursday, April
4, on a 17-day trip thru four states.
During the tour the 45-voice choir
will present 17 concerts, including a
broadcast from Chicago over a na
tion-wide radio hookup, Prof. Rus
sell A. Lantz, director of the group,
announced.
ing froze in icicles from four to
eight inches in length.
Investigating the phenomenon, Sid
ney C. Stettler and W. O. Geiger,
high school instructors, found the
icicles maple flavored and pleasant
to the taste.
FHE BLUFFTON NEWS
A NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF BLUFFTON AND VICINITY
BLUFFTON, OHIO, THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 1940
Far behind in their spring plowing,
Bluffton area farmers anxiously are
awaiting a “break in the weather” to
get a long-delayed pre-seeding work
campaign under way.
Only a little plowing has been done
so far in this area and elsewhere
thuout Ohio because of severe winter
cold that froze the ground to a great
er depth than usual.
In addition, warm spring weather
has been late in arriving, and the un
seasonably cold weather of the last
week has contributed further to the
extended delay in starting spring
farming operations. Temperatures as
low as eight degrees above zero were
recorded here the first of the week.
SUGGEST RURAL
FIRE PROTECTION
’urchase of Equipment by
Township Trustees Talked
By Council
Apparatus Housed Here Would
Be Manned by Town for
Rural Runs
Fire protection will be provided for
the rural area within a six mile radius
of Bluffton if a suggestion by city of
ficials is adopted by township trustees
in the surrounding district.
It has been proposed that a fire
truck be purchased by the townships
near Bluffton, with the understanding
that the unit be kept in Bluffton and
manned by the Bluffton fire depart
ment.
The truck w’ould be used only in
fighting rural fires, and its location in
Bluffton would make it possible for
the vehicle to reach any fire with a
six-mile radius in short ordr.
Rural Districts Seek Protection
Consideration of the rural fire pro
tection qestion was precipitated re
cently when a group of Monroe town
ship farm residents sought an ar
rangement under which Bluffton’s fire
truck would be available to call in the
district.
Teachers In England Wear
Robes In School, Speaker Says
Bluffton counc lmen tabled *he pro
posal and in its stead informally sug
gested the purchase of a separate fire
truck for the rural territory surround
ing the town.
Want Town’s Equipment Here
City officials do not believe Bluff
ton’s regular quipment should be
used for rural fire fighting. As mat
ters now stand, the town lacks full
fire protection facilities whenever the
truck makes runs outside the corpor
ation, even though half of the firemen
remain here.
If the townships purchase a light
truck of their own, it will leave Bluff
ton with its regular complement of
equipment. Altho the rural truck
would be manned by members of the
Bluffton fire department at least half
of the force would always be available
thereby giving the town adequate pro
tection.
Real Estate Deals
The Chas. Patterson property on
South Main street has been pur
chased by Leroy Traucht of near
Jenera. Traucht, who is employed
at the Bixel Motor sales, expects to
move into the property this spring.
The Patterson
their property on Cherry street re
cently vacated by Mrs. Ella Long.
family will occupy
C. D. Althaus of Findlay sold the
West Elm street property formerly
occupied by J. O. Basinger, Bluffton
barber, to Fred Martin. Both deals
were closed by H. W. Althaus.
Ralph Reichenbach has purchased
the property of the Jacob Kauffman
heirs on Riley street and is now oc
cupying the residence. He moved
from the Win. Burkholder property
on Spring street purchased recently
by Robert Potts who is moving to
town from the former C. W. Roeth
lisberger farm west of town on the
Columbus Grove road.
Brotherhood Will
Hear Dr. C. H. Smith
Dr. C. Henry Smith, head of the
department of political science at
Bluffton college, will be the speaker
at a meeting of the Brotherhood of
the Reformed churches
this Thursday in the
church.
at 8 p. m.
St.
John’s
on
Dr. Smith will talk
world affairs. Following the
a lunch will be served.
present
address
Members of the St John’s and
Emanuel’s Reformed churches com
prise the Reformed Brotherhood.
Farmers Impatient as Zero Cold Snap
Forces Further Delay of Spring Work
Because of the lateness of plowing,
few if any fields will be seeded in oats
during March, the customary month
for sowing, and as a result the oats
harvest next summer will be much
later than usual.
Should weather of an alternately
warm and alternately cold variety be
experienced within the next few
weeks, horses will have an advantage
over tractors for plowing, many farm
ers say.
This is due to the fact that horses
can be used on ground too w-et for
tractors and because wet plowing will
be satisfactory for the next few weeks
since alternate freezing and thawing
will break up sod which otherwise
British Exchange Instructor
Addresses Bluffton Teach
ers Meeting
nstructors in English Schools
Are Exempt from Military
Service
Comparison of English and Ameri
can educational systems was made
Monday night at a meeting of Bluff
ton Public teachers by Norman H.
Hidden, a British exchange instruct
or, who is a member of the Kenton
High school faculty this year.
Public schools are secondary pri
vate schools in England, the speaker
said, and all parents who can af
ford the fees give their children pri
vate schooling.
the private institu
boarding school va
schools are main
and girls, and the
Practically all
tions are of the
riety. Separate
tained for boys
buildings generally are located in
different sections of the town.
Public school education is available
only for children 15 years of age
and under, and the program is not
as fully developed as in the United
States.
Teaching is a formal art in Eng
land. Robes are worn by the in
structors and they stand on a raised
platform before their classes. No
familiarity is permitted between
teachers and pupils. Strict disci
pline is maintained at all times.
Hidden expects to return to Eng
land in August where he will re
sume his teaching. Instructors in
England are exempt from war serv
ice because of the responsibility re
sulting from the evacuation of city
children into rural areas.
As a result, schools in the country
districts are overcrowded, and it is
necessary to conduct two or more
completely separate schools in the
same building.
Hidden came to Kenton last fall
as an exchange instructor. Harold
Wilson, Kenton teacher, went
England to fill the English post
the exchange program.
to
in
Two Local Funeral
Homes Are Merged
two
was
the
Merger and consolidation of
Bluffton funeral establishments
announced Tuesday following
purchase by Stanley Basinger of the
undertaking business of Noah Ba
singer and G. W. Combs.
The new owner has also leased
the Combs funeral home on South
Main street and will operate from
that location a modern and well
equipped
service,
as the
home.
funeral and ambulance
The business will be known
Stanley Basinger Funeral
In entering business here Basinger
comes well qualified as a licensed
funeral director. He was for several
years associated with Noah Basinger
funeral service and wras also con
nected with an Elyria
lishment.
funeral estab-
of the week
Bluffton’s two
Noah
The deal the first
marks the merger of
oldest funeral establishments.
Basinger who has been in this field
since 1910 will devote his entire time
to his furniture business. Combs in
business here since 1901, will con
tinue his present line of handling
and servicing sewing machines in
his same location.
Opposite trends were pronounced
on the Bluffton markets Wednesday
morning when grains opened strong
while hogs took a sharp turn toward
lower price levels.
Dollar wheat wras a reality when
prices were chalked up on the board
here as the market opened. Soys,
would remain in an unworkable con
dition.
Rush Work With Tractors
When suitable weather arrives,
however, many farmers in this area
will make use of tractors to overcome
the delayed start in spring plowing.
It is estimated that an acre can be
plowed in 1.5 hours with a tractor, as
compared with 4.5 hours needed to
do the wmrk with horses.
Once the turning of earth is un
der way farmers will be found in their
fields from early morning until late
at night, in an effort to make up the
time that has been lost because of
the severe winter and unseasonably
late spring weather.
SMALL DROP IN
LIQUOR TAX HERE
Bluffton’s liquor tax
year will be $800, only
than the
last fall’s
lawed the
and light
This
Annual Income of $800
Year Nearly Equal to
1939, Mayor Says
Out
’laces Formerly Selling
lawed 6% Beer Take Out
Licenses for
3.2
this
less
receipts
slightly
amount received before
local option election out
sale of six per cent beer
wines in the town.
This announcement made Tuesday
by Mayor Wilbur A. Howe, follow
ing a check on the tax
can be expected from
liquor licenses locally.
income that
the sale of
Bluffton
At present
has eight
establishments with permits to
3.2 beer. These licenses cost
holders $100 each, which gives
town a total liquor tax revenue
the year of $800.
sell
the
the
for
Previous Liquor Tax Income $900
Before six per cent beer and
wines were voted out last fall,
Bluffton’s receipts from the sale of
licenses amounted to about
Mayor Howe said.
$900,
from
$500
The present prospect of $800
liquor taxes is approximately
more than had been anticipated last
fall when six per cent beer and
light wines were voted out.
This increase, it is explained, is
due to the fact that a number of
local establishments which formerly
dispensed only the six per cent beer
and light wines have now taken out
licenses for the sale of 3.2 beer.
With The Sick
Leland Sechler, Bluffton restaura
teur, who has been quite ill with
complications is somewhat improved.
Mrs. Orren Guin sustained a brok
en right arm near the wrist as the
result of a fall at her home north
of Bluffton.
Mrs. Frank Cunningham who has
been a patient in Bluffton hospital
is convalescing at her home on Riley
street.
C. W. Roethlisberger
Jackson street has been
home since Sunday.
of South
ill at his
painfully
Homer Reichenbach was
injured when steel particle flew in
his left eye while operating a drill
at his home north of Bluffton.
Bert Swank, employed at the
Meter works is confined to his home
on South Main street for several
days on account of an injury to the
index finger of his right hand which
he sustained Tuesday afternoon.
Mrs. Albert Althaus west of Bluff
ton has been ill at her home for sev
eral weeks.
Grains Strong Porkers Take
Sharp Drop On Markets Here
Albert Steiner of East Elm street
is ill at his home with an attack of
rheumatism.
Mrs. Hazel Green, Bluffton tele
phone central operator, is ill at her
home in Beaverdam.
Peter C. Herr is ill at his home
northwest of Bluffton with rheuma
tism.
Frank Dray who has been ill for
several months is taking treatment
at the Cleveland clinic.
also, which have been strong since
early last fall opened at the dollar
mark.
Hogs on the other hand were dis
appointing, opening ten cents under
Tuesday’s close and 30 cents lower
than Tuesday morning. Top price
quoted Wednesday morning was $4.70.
A Good Place to Live and a
Good Place to Trade
NUMBER 48
CLEANUP DAY IS
UNDER WAY HERE
)ate Nearly One Month Early
This Year to Aid in
Mosquito Campaign
Municipal Cleanup Crew Begins
Work Wednesday Cooper
ation is Urged
Bluffton’s first move in a municipal
mosquito control campaign was well
under way Wednesday with the start
of work on the town’s annual spring
cleanup drive.
Cleanup day is being nearly a
month earlier this year to permit the
eradication of mosquito breeding
places before the larvae season ar
rives.
During the cleanup drive the town
truck is removing debris, tin cans and
rubbish free of charge if the items
are placed in containers alongside al-
No Ashes Hauled
No ashes will be hauled by the
cleanup crew, and householders should
make other arrangements for dispos
ing of them as quickly as possible,
the mayor urged.
In the hope of successfully launch
ing Bluffton's proposed mosquito con
trol program, Mayor Howe and
town council have requested 100
cent cooperation on the part of
izens in cleanup.
the
per
cit-
and
Removal of tin cans, rubbish
other debris will go far tow’ard elimi
nating breeding places for mosquitoes.
The cleanup drive marks the first
step necessary* in opening the local
war on the pests which during past
years have plagued Bluffton resi
dents during the spring and summer
months.
Fast Stepping Lions
Revue To Be Staged
Annual revue of the Bluffton’s
Lions club, a fast stepping amateur
hour competition, will be held in the
high school gymnasium next Tues
day night at 8 o’clock.
Plenty of competition for the $25
in prizes for musical and novelty at
tractions was assured as officers of
the club announced the personnel
for the program.
Twelve separate prizes are of
fered, the awarding of which will
be made by a popular vote of the
audience? Every" person attending
the revue will receive a ballot on
which to name his favorites in the
musical and novelty classes.
The following contestants will ap
pear:
Music
Competition
Marshall, violin solo.
Luginbuhl, accordion.
Moser, piano solo.
Jean
Bud
John
Bill Holtkamp, flute solo
Steinman Sisters and Mary Alice
Howe, instrumental trio.
Lawrence Burkholder and Thies
sen Brothers, violin and cello trio.
Mary Smucker, Frances Ramseyer,
Dorothy Burner, vocal trio.
Murray Gerber, accordion.
Flying Dutchmen vocal quartet
from Pandora high school.
Virgil Bartz, Robert Zigler, Rich
ard Hauenstein, trumpet trio.
Mary Katherine Bauman, piano
solo.
James Diller, song bells.
Novelty Competition
Ray Niswander, Harlan Swank,
George Myers, vocal trio.
Phyllis Driver, singing.
Janet Kay Althaus, reading.
3-B’s and a w’ashboard quartet.
Alice Kohler and Irwin Fisher,
sing and play.
Charles Suter, w’histle.
Elsie Hartman and Newlin Ha
begger, sing and play
Doris Dunifon, acrobatics
Jimmy Grothaus, negro reading.
Ray Follas, comet
Ruth Zwidorhock, portable organ.
Potee Sisters, sing and dance.
Dorothy Jennings, ventriloquist.
Robert Niswander, guitar.
Orchestra Concert
Sunday Afternoon
Annual spring concert of the
Bluffton college orchestra will be
presented in the high school gym
nasium, Sunday afternoon at 3
o’clock. The orchestra of thirty-five
pieces is under direction of Prof.
Sidney Hauenstein.
The program follows:
Overture—Ruy Blas Mendelssohn
Dolly Dances Poldini
Sleeping Beauty Waltz Tschaikowsky
D-Minor Symphony First Movement
Overture—Oberon
Finlandia
V. Weber
Sibelius
Mrs. Don Schwartz and
Columbus, spent Easter
parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Mr. and
family, of
with their
M. M. Bogart of South Main street.