The Bluffton news. [volume], July 13, 1944, Image 2

About The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current

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FACE TWO
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Public Transportation Too In
adequate To Handle Travel,
Driving Curbs Few
Contrasts In Our Southwestern
Neighboring State Are
Many, Writer Says
Editor’s Note: The folloicing
is another interesting letter on
impressions of Mexico, written
by Homer Moser, Bluffton area
native, who is engaged in agri
cultural mission work in that
land while on furough from his
station in Brazil,
In many ways, war has not made
much of an impression on Mexico
as yet. There is no gas nor tire
rationing. As a gesture, however,
the government has declared a so
called “rest day” in each week when
cars are not permitted to drive. All
the cars that have the letter “A”
on their license plate can not drive
on Monday. A “B” makes Tuesday
your rest day, etc.
Of course, everyone can drive on
Sunday. Mexico would not be Mexico
any more if they were prohibited
from driving on Sunday. Never in
all my life have I seen so many
people travel. There is apparently
an urge that they think they must
go and “go” they do—by burro, a
foot, by bus, by train, by car and
by plane.
Last week I sought a reservation
for Yucatan and the first reservation
I could get was in five weeks from
then, and there is a twenty-one pas
senger plane every day of the week.
I never saw so many buses nor cabs
nor have I ever seen busses so
crowded.
Just last night 1 entered a bus
and as usual it was full. It just
occurred to me that it would be in
teresting to see how many passeng
ers there were in the bus. ThereI
were thirty-eight sitting and forty
three standing. The benches are ar
ranged on the side of the bus so
that there is a maximum amount of
space in the middle for passengers
to stand and I assure you they use
the space to advantage.
I have always heard it said that
there was room for one more and
now I am sure that it is true. The
other day I was waiting for a bus
and while I waited there for a few
minutes ten taxis passed looking for
passengers.
Few Restrictions So Far On Auto
Driving In Mexico, Moser Writes
There are very few taxi stations
here but instead they keep cruising
expecting to find passengers. There
does seem to be a shortage of gas
right now due to transportation
facilities.
If automobile transportation is cut
off here it will cause a terrible up
heaval as they are actually more
dependent on auto transportation
than we are since railroad facilities
are much more inadequate.
Products Available
I do not know what, and what
not, you are able to buy in the
States but if you can get everything
that is on the market here you are
not being deprived of much. Radios,
Bendix washing machines, aluminum
cooking utensils, thermos bottles, etc.
are in evidence everywhere. Perhaps
its old stock, but if it is, they surely
must have known there was a long
war ahead.
Naturally prices have more than
doubled in many cases. On the other
hand, it is ikewisc hard to Understand
some of the things that happen here.
In one of the southern states of
Mexico last year they lost 70G of
their banana crop due to the lack of
transportation. This year the pro
duction is double and transportation
facilities are no better. The growers
have appealed to the War Shipping
Administration in the States but
without success. Money still talks.
There are transportation facilities
to export millions of gallons of
“Tequila” (Mexican brandy) to the
U. S. but bananas are rotting by the
car loads while I suppose you people
can hardly get them at almost any
price. Here in Mexico City bananas
are cheap, judging by the purchasing
power of the American dollar, about
ten cents a dozen. They are how
ever not so cheap for the common
man who can only get four dozen
bananas for a whole day’s wage.
If cooperatives are feasible, this
is one place where they ought to be
fostered. 1 doubt if the grower gets
over ten cents for a bunch while
here in town they cost about two
dollars a bunch. Cooperatives to
work properly, presuppose honesty
and I have my doubts if it would
work here for honesty is not a
coveted virtue.
Arrangements Differ
It is not at all unnatural that we
think the way we were taught to do
a thing is the best way. I suppose
that is true the world over. I could
not help but smile and reflect for a
moment while I was in Vera Cruz
last December. When I registered
in the hotel I was given the key to
the room and found it for myself.
I opened the door and was almost
scared when I saw the size of the
room. It must have been at least
twenty feet high and looked still
higher.
As I entered the room I turned
on the switch back of the door and
to my surprise there was no light,
instead I noticed a large electric fan
in the middle of the room starting
to revolve. After passing two beds,
three chairs and a large table in the
middle of the room I came to the
light switch on the other side. As
I turned it on I could not help but
smile to myself and thought just
what every other American would
think.
I was not there long before I
looked at the revolving fan again
and again smiled and thought to
myself, not so dumb, after all, be
tween the two, I think the fan was
more necessary or at least much to
be desired. If it was that hot in
December, what must it be in July!
In the States we are given more
to uniformity too. Here you can
never tell which is the hot water
faucet nor in which direction you
have to turn it to turn it on or off.
There is generally a “C” on one of
the faucets but you never know if
that “C” means “cold” or “caliente”
(hot). In a Mexican restaurant it
would be easier to know what the
“C” stood for, for I assure you that
it is generally hot with chili.
Mexico is rich in mineral deposits
but I agree with Stewart Chase that
its richness is not in its minerals
I but in its beauty—natural beauty.
Important Notice
Its mountains, its valleys, its hot
springs, the ever present flowers, the
almost indomitable Bougainvilleas,
the poinsettias, the long rows of
palm trees in the middle of the
beautiful avenues with one way traf
fic on either side, and the beautiful
residential district, all these are en
chanting.
It’s too bad that the beautiful can
not hide the ugly. The other day a
Mexican college student invited me
to see his athletic club. I do not
remember of ever seeing a more
beautiful club, modern in every
respect and judging from appear
ances, the best of everything.
I should julge that twenty tennis
courts were being used at the time
I was there. None of the players
chased the stray balls for small boys
were being paid to do that for them.
A large and magnificent swimming
pool, bowling alleys, etc., all well
arranged and well kept up. With
due respect to Mexican courtesy, I
spoke very highly of the club.
On our way home, however, I must
have shown my disappointment for
all of a sudden the young man asked
me why I was so sad. I gave him
a true answer but I did not tell him
al! the inner thoughts I had. I did
not tell him how I had been in the
hinterland of Mexico and all the
poverty I saw and the terrible con
trast. I suppose it is an eternal
problem and perhaps it can never
be solved. I suppose I unwillingly
showed my concern as we left the
club. I know not the solution but
sincerely hope I shall never be so
calloused as not to be concerned.
The new yearly telephone directory for
Bluffton is now in the hands of the printer.
Persons desiring changes, additional or new list­
ings must notify our business office at once.
500-W
Bluffton Telephone Co.
A serious drought affecting Ohio
and other midwestern states from
Pennsylvania to Indiana and from
Michigan to Tennessee should be an
ticipated for the latter half of 1946
and throughout the greater part of
1947.
This long-range prediction was
made last week by Dr. E. L. Mose
ley, professor emeritus of biology at
Bowling Green State university, who
bases his forecast on the study of
the growth of tree rings.
In his prediction, Dr. Moseley ex
pects rainfall to be much above
Allied Commanders In France
It
11111
A HISTORIC WAR CONLEKfcNCE taLinj la.i in f.u« jl-.u.c.
Britain's General Montgomery, commanding the Allied crmies in Normandy,
is having his meeting on French soil uith his invasion army commander,
America's Lt. .^ncral Omar Bradley. They arc poring over maps in a field
the American, British and Canadian trumps f-gut their way relentlessly for
ward within gun-range of the scene.
During June there were 3.61 inches
of rain, compared to the average of
3.88 inches. However, practically all
the rain came early in the month,
with more than a third falling on
June 2 when there was a downpour
of 1.67 inches.
Weather reports also show that the
maximum temperature of 102 degrees
set on June 27 equalled the all-time
high mark of June. On two other
July 3rd, 1919
Ten trucks, originally’ built for
army service in France passed thru
town early Saturday evening. The
machines which were completed
about the time of the signing of the
armistice, have been converted into
mail trucks and will be used in con
nection with the Cleveland postoffice.
The trucks were built by the Garford
Co. at Lima.
Gerhart Fett, son of Mr. and Mrs.
Eli Fett arrived home from overseas,
honorably discharged from the
service.
Word has been received that Wal
ter Klay is home from overseas and
is now stationed at Camp Mills,
New York. Walter served as a
mechanic in France near the front
lines during his sixteen months of
service.
Gordon Bixel who was a member
of the hospital service in France,
arrived in Newport News, Va. He
was sent with a hospital unit to
assist in the carring for the wounded
who were to be sent home from
rance.
Ezra Moser who served in the
Army medical corps in France re
turned home honorably discharged.
Noah and Muses Messinger and
Hiram Welty who were stationed in
Camp Sherman for over a year and
a half returned home last Thursday
honorably’ discharged.
A German machine gun brought
from France by’ Edward 1’lattner is
on exhibition in the Fett Hardware
window.
The Austrian rifle captured by Sgt.
A. D. Painter, Oct. 25, 1918 is now
on exhibition in the News window.
Sgt. Robert Dally of Camp Sher
man recently returned from overseas
is spending a 30 day furlough with
friends here.
Dr. J. C. Wetherill of Weston, a
former Blufft on boy who served as I
a lieutenent in the medical service
at Hoboken, N. J. during the war
has been dischaged from the service
and will resume his practice in
Weston.
Lt. J. S. Steiner who is stationed
at camp Merritt is expecting to
spend the Fourth of July with his
family.
ee Rings Indicate Severe Drought
Latter Half Of 1946 And Into 1947
June Rainfall Slightly Less Than
Average Last Of Month Hot, Dry
June rainfall in the Bluffton area
was slightly less than average, but
not as much as the final hot and
dry days of the month might indi
cate, according to weather observer
statistics announced this week.
Bluffton In First World War
What Happened Here Twenty-five Years Ago This Week
THE BLVFFTON NEWS, BLUFFTON, OHIO
It
V'W1
Jh#
jX*®* Wk.
as
average during the latter part of
1945 and the early part of 1946.
However, the severe drought affect
ing many states should be anticipat
ed the latter half of 1946 and the
greater part of 1947.
After that, this section of the
country will not experience so ser
ious a drought for many years, ac
cording to his forecast.
Probability of the drought predic
tion being a reality is based on the
fact that there has been a drought
at every corresponding period as far
back as we have any tree record,
the Bowling Green educator said.
days the thermometer stood at 101
degrees to make the closing week of
June the hottest on record.
Despite the extreme heat of the
month, with the maximum tempera
ture 90 degrees or higher on 10
days, the minimum dropped to 70 or
lower every night except Sunday,
June 18. The coolest weather of the
month was on June 27, when there
was a reading of 42 degrees.
Nine days had precipitation of .01
inch or more four had .25 inch or
more, and one was over one inch.
Nine days were clear, 14 partly
cloudy and seven cloudy.
Howard Stauffer who was in camp
near San Antonio, Texas, since last
September, was honorably’ discharged
and returned home Friday.
Will Ryan, who lost his leg in
France, passed through another
severe operation oo the amputated
limb in the Walter Reed hospital in
Washington. The young man is
recovering nicely’.
Edmund Hawk landed in New
York from overseas and expects to
be discharged in the near future.
Sylvan Herrman is home from
Camp Sherman on an extended fur
lough. The young man who was in
jured in action in France, losing the
sight of his eye is recovering. He
will return to Camp Sherman in
several months for further treat
ment.
Entertain Visitors
Visitors and callers at the P. P.
Badertscher home the past week in
cluded
Mrs. Fred Urich and daughter Su
san of Arlington, Va. Mr. and Mrs.
J. A. Badertscher of Bloomington,
Ind., Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Bader
tscher, Anderson, Ind., Mr. and Mrs.
Floyd Rettig and son Allen of
Jenera.
Mrs. Willis Badertscher, daughter
Donna and son LeRoy, Mr. and Mrs.
H. K. Campbell, Clifton Urich of
Lima: Mr. and Mrs. Joe Urich, son
Joey and daughter Patty of Wapak
oneta, Miss Nancy’ Cotner of Dayton.
Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Urich, Mr. and
Mrs. Harvey Badertscher and son
Kenneth, Lafayette Mr. and Mrs.
Harry .ugabill and son Rolland,
Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Badertscher,
Miss Badertscher, Bluffton.
Mrs. Francis Stevens, son Dale
and daughter Joyce Ann and Mr.
and Mrs. Clair Ballinger.
MAGICIANS Perform breakfast
magic with new cereal combination
—Post’s Raisin Bran. Golden wheat
and bran flakes plus seedless raisins.
It’s new!
Today money may not go as far
as it used to, but it sure goes faster.
“Merry Widow" Opera
On Stage This Week
“The Merry WiAow”, top-flight mu
sical show, in attracting large audi
ences at the Zoo amphitheatre in To
ledo. It is being staged at 8:45
p. m. every night this week and also
next Sunday and is proving one of
the outstanding numbers of the sum
mer light opera season.
Written by Franz Lehar, Viennese
composer, the production’s lilting
melodies have captured much of the
atmosphere which made old Vienna
the traditional center of a world of
carefree gaiety.
Alonzo Price of Hollywood is di
recting the production with New
York and Hollywood stars singing
the leading roles.
Victor Herbert operas will be the
attractions for the last two of the
series, “The Red Mill” starting a
week’s run on Monday night, July 17
and “Naughty Marietta” scheduled
for the week of July 24.
The attractions are staged under
sponsorship of the Toledo Civic Light
Opera Guild. Convenient bus con
nections make it possible for Bluff
ton people to attend.
Mail orders for tickets may be ad
dressed to B. R. Baker’s Toledo or
obtained at the Zoo box office.
BOY SCOUT NOTES
The boy scouts of Troop 56 wish
to thank everyone who assisted in
making the ice cream social a success
Saturday evening.
The regular meeting was held on
the College Campus, Monday night.
John Bauman, Gene Hankish and
Billy Burcky were taken into the
troop. Camp craft was# supervised
by Eagle Scouts Ramseyer and Augs
burger.
The program was completed by
remarks by Robert Graham, former
athletic star of Bluffton college who
is now in the navy. Graham gave
the boys some valuable information
regarding swimming, which included
the advice that 20 feet was the limit
for navy men to jump into the water
and belts had to be worn for this
jump to assure safety.
Troop 56 will attend Camp Shaw
nee, Aug. 6-13.
Last report on crop prospects in
dicates a larger than average total
fruit production in 1944 with a
favorable outlook for apples in all
commercial areas and good conditions
for peaches, pears, and grapes. Com
mercial truck growers expect to
harvest 1,686,060 tons of vegetables,
which would be 15 per cent more
than were produced in 1943 and
per cent more than the average for
past years.
Ohio poultrymen had an average of
$3.61 per hen invested in their 1943
poultry business. They sold an
average of $5.51 worth of eggs and
$1.47 worth of poultry meat per hen.
All the new insecticide DDT is be
ing used by the armed forces now, and
experts warn farmers not to expect
it to be a solution for all insect con
trol problems later.
ft
Kneehole Desks
Smartly designed, in mahogany—
convenient and attractive something every
household needs.
Breakfast Sets
Sturdy oak construction, handsomely
finished consisting of table with two board
extension and four leather-seated chairs.
$87.50 sets now $79.50
$78.50 sets now $69.50
The Bluffton News presents
another in the series of snakes
common in the Bluffton area.
The article is written by Charles
Trippiehorn, Bluffton high school
senior and a specialist in rep
tilia.—Editor
The blue racer, the largest snake
to be found in this vicinity, is, like
the milk snake, the subject of many
widely believed snake stories.
The most prevalent of these is
that he deliberately goes out of his
way to pick fights with members of
the human race, and chasing them.
Actually few snakes display more
willingness to retreat than does the
racer.
The slightest provocation sends
this terrestial rocket streaking for
cover with the speed of which few
snakes are capable, although during
the breeding season in the spring he
shows an unusual amount of bold
ness, and when cornered or captured
proves himself a very worthy adver
sary.
A snake of this size, however,
would avail nothing by attacking
man since it is neither poisonous nor
does it possess the power of muscular
constriction as so many misinformed
people seem to think.
Allied Wounded Flown From France
This writer was twice bitten by
blue racers and suffered no ill ef
fects. As for constriction, the sci
entific name Coluber (Constrictor)
Flaviventris seems to have been a
misnomer since the snake eats its
prey alive.
Another myth concerning the blue
racer is that it charms birds and
animals.
As told to the writer by a very
imaginative person: “This blue racer,
some 10 feet long (it actually
reaches a maximum length of 6*4
feet) was after a small bird in a
field. As I watched, this bird started
circling about the snake’s head as if
Some Unusual Summer Specials
in
Housefiirnishiiigs
Basinger’s Furniture Store
it 1
PLANES WHICH TAKE SUPPLIES to the Normandy battlefield airstrips
return to Britain with battle casualties. This picture shows Corporal Lydia
Alford, a nuraing orderly of Britain's Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, helping
one of the wounded being loaded on a Douglas Dakota transport plane of the
R.A.F. Her job will be to tend the wounded during the flight back.
Snakes Cannot “Charm” Birds Blue
Racers Help Farmers War On Rodents
THURSDAY, JULY 13, 1944
drawn there by an invisible force.
The snake, meanwhile opened wide
his mouth and the bird completely
hypnotized plunged into it.”
A story like this puts one of Baron
Munchausen’s tall tales to shame,
for no snake possesses such mystic
powers.
A bird or animal may “freeze”
when they feel they are in danger
but this is a natural means of pro
tection used by all wild creatures,
even the snakes themselves.
Most rabbits and pheasants ‘freeze’
when a hunter approaches, but a
hunter is not a hypnotist and neither
is a blue racer or any other snake.
Most people who first spread these
idle tales were themselves afraid of
snakes and told them to their child
ren to give them a so-called inborn
fear of all snakes.
Being thus afraid of snakes no one
ever dared attempt to investigate if
these stories were true or false,
hence they were handed down from
generation to generation as true.
It is a fact that the blue racer is
one of the four most valuable rep
tiles in the State and the farmer can
or should be glad he has some on
his farm.
Though not a gentle snake as is
the milk snake (see last issue of The
Bluffton News) the racer rivals it in
economic value and if left alone will
mind its own business, which is most
ly eating.
Since the bulk of its diet is mice
and other harmful rodents it should
never be killed. Many successful
farmers realizes this and leave them
unmolested.
A medium sized blue racer will be
placed in the News office window
this week from Wednesday to Sat
urday.
Economy, they say, is spending
your money without enjoyment.
Floor Coverings’of
Quality
Pebbletone twist carpet, 9 by 17*2,
in rich green specially priced $115.
Regis Carved Wilton, all wool carpet
in 2-tone green 12 by 17-3, an unusual
value $192.50.
Axminster carpet—37 yard roll 27
inch width, attractive blue with rust leaf
design. Specially priced.
Arcola Wilton back rugs, limited num
ber, 9 by 12, formerly $88.50 now $75.
Armstrong's Congoleum
An unusually large selection of Arm
strong’s Congoleum Rugs in 9 by 12, 12
by 12 and 12 by 15 sizes.
Remember—there is no rationing of
these floor coverings and they are still at
the pre-war price. See them today.