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BUY rravas VOLUME NO. LXX WARM WEATHER IS AVERTING WORST COAL CRISIS HERE Fuel Shortage is Most Serious of Winter, Say Dealers, Wednesday. Two Cars of Mine Run, Undeter mined Quality is Town’s Only Supply. Current spell of springlike weath er is all that has prevented the most serious fuel crisis of the winter, local coal dealers said Wednesday morning. The coal situation, it was declared has deteriorated from bad to worse. A canvass of retail dealers disclosed that two cars of mine run coal of undetermined quality constitute the only supply Bluffton has on hand. From this supply coal to house holders whose bins are empty is be ing rationed. Promised Coal Not Here Scheduled shipments of coal of regular quality for domestic con sumption have ailed to arrive and dealers said they could not tell when these shipments will come. A continuance of the present •warm weather with temperatures ranging between 40 and 50 degrees together with careful husbanding of such coal supplies as householders have on hand appears to be the best solution to the problem. The existing shortage of coal has been confined largely to domestic consumers. Industrial concerns, in cluding Bluffton’s municipal electric light and power plant and education al institutions have sufficient stocks •on hand for their immediate needs, it is indicated. Movie At Beaverdam On Wednesday, Feb. 13 A moving picture production will be presented at the Beaverdam high school auditorium next Wednesday night, February 13 at 7:15 o’clock. The production is sponsored by the Beaverdam high school senior class and consists of a musical com edy and newsreel in addition to the main feature “Pot O’ Gold” with Jimmy Stewart, Paulette Goddard and Charlie Winniger. Jimmy Stewart appears in a role that reveals new facets of heart warming fun and Paulette Goddard is in her gayest, most gorgeous com edy vein with Charlie Winniger for comedy and Horace Heidt and his Musical Knights, most famous band on the airwaves. Selective Service Honors Group Here Three Bluffton men were included’ among the nine members of the Al len county draft board group receiv-I ing recognition awards for services of two years or more during the war. The Bluffton men are Forrest Steinman, member of the, board, D. R. Trippiehorn, the government ap peal agent and Dr. M. D. Soash, medical examiner. Steinman and Tripplehom were in Dayton, Tues day night to attend formal pre sentation ceremonies at the Van Cleve hotel where Gov. Frank J. Lausche was the speaker. Other members of the Alin county group are: Dr. C. E. Savage, Morris Fenneman, Harry Marshall, Jesse Vandemark, Dr. O. S. Roebuck, Francis Joy and Byron Dotson. Former Bluffton City Solicitor Dies In Lima Carl H. Neville, prominent Lima attorney and city solicitor for Bluff ton in 1926 and 1927, died last Sunday night at his Lima home from head injuries apparently sus tained a few hours earlier when he fell while alighting from his auto mobile. Following his graduation from the Ohio Northern university law school in 1920, Neville entered the firm of Wheeler and Bentley, both of whom preceded him in death. H. O. Bent ley, of the firm, was a Bluffton na tive. Neville was a former chairman of the Allen County Democratic Execu tive committee, and at the time of his death was president of the Lima Memorial hospital board of trustees. Funeral services were held Wed nesday afternoon at Lima. Burial was in Lima. In addition to his wife and two sons, Neville is survived by one brother, Wesley Neville, of Lima. I Kohli Assumes Board Position A. E. Kohli, Bluffton Republican leader, assumed his duties Monday as a member of the Allen county board of elections for which position he was recently endorsed by the party’s executive committee. Kohli was named to the board by the secretary of state to fill the un expired term of James Jacobs who resigned to be a candidate for coun ty commissioner. Kohli who has been active in Re publican politics for thirty years was previously a member of the Al len county jury commission from which he resigned Monday. Announce Wedding Of Orange Twp. Girl Mr. and Mrs. Adriah Basinger of Orange township announce the mar riage of their daughter Alice to Pfc. James R. Fawver of Waco, Texas. The wedding took place January 4 at Pemberville with Rev. Roy Longnecker officiating. Attendants were Theo Beggs, cousin of the bride and Miss Joyce Long, his fiancee, both of Toledo. Pfc Fawver left Tuesday for Corpus Christi, Texas, to receive his discharge from the Marine corps in which he served for four years. The couple will reside on the farm of the bride’s parents. Radio Program Of “3 O’s And Jeanne" The “Three O’s and Jeanne” begin their program this week with the trio singing Victor Herbert’s well loved “Toyland.” George Gershwin’s popular song, “The Man I Love” is then sung by the trio. .Jeanne Con tinues the program with Binding’s “Rustle of Spring.” The trio will then sing the familiar “Memories.” They end the program with a re quest hymn, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” The Bluffton group broadcast every Friday from WLOK at 6:15 o’clock. Lions Will Stage Benefit Minstrel Bluffton Lions club will present a Georgia Jubilee Minstrel on April 23 and 24 in the high school auditorium, with proceeds to be donated to the Bluffton High band uniform fund, it was announced this week. Local talent will be featured in the cast which is to be directed by Prof. Russell A. Lantz, of the Bluffton col lege music faculty. Rehearsals will start next Tuesday night. At Tues day’s meeting of the club, Stanley Basinger showed motion pictures which he filmed in the European war theatre. Masonic Father-Son Banquet On Feb. 26 A George Washington’s Birthday Father-Son banquet will be held by the Bluffton Masonic lodge on Tues day, Feb. 26, it was announced this week by Bertrand L. Swank, master of the lodge. Moving pictures taken in Europe by Stanley Basinger will be shown at the meeting, and other features are being planned. Stauffer Resigns At Bluffton High Paul W. Stauffer, instructor in speech and dramatics at Bluffton High school since 1931, has re signed from the faculty, effective as of the end of the current school term. He will complete this year’s teach ing schedule on a half-time basis, spending the remainder of his time as assistant purchasing agent at The Triplett Electrical Instrument Co. Births The following births at Bluffton hospital: Mr. nad Mrs. Wayne Luginbuhl, a girl, Carol Irene, Monday. Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Elzay, Find lay, a girl, Diane Sue, Saturday. Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Tudor, Lima, a girl, Susan Kate, Sunday Mr. and Mrs. Willard Evans, Co lumbus Grove, a girl, Tuesday. Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Neuensch wander, Lima, a boy, Tuesday. Mr. and Mrs. Don Smucker of Princeton, N. J., a boy, Thomas Cornelius, Tuesday, born in a hos pital at that place. Mr. Smucker is the son of Mrs. B. D. Smucker of South Lawn avenue. Hicksville, 10 Wins, Four Losses, Is First Bluffton Tournament Foe Bluffton Will Play in First Round at Ada on Monday, February 18 Winner Will Advance to Sec tional Play at Celina First Week in March Bluffton High school’s first oppon ent in the Class exempted village and parochial school tournament at Ada two weeks from now will be Hicksville, a team that has won 10 and lost four games so far this sea son. The Bluffton-Hicksville contest is scheduled for* 7:00 p. m. on Mon day, Feb. 18, the opening night of the tourney in which nine district schools will be competing to qualify as the two entrants in the Sectional tournament at Celina, the first week in March. With Bluffton and Hicksville in the upper bracket of the tournament are Ada (eight wins and four losses) vs Lima St. Johns (nine wins and four losses). Bluffton has a record of three victories and eight setbacks. In the lower bracket are Delphos Jefferson (10-3) vs Lima St. Gerard (0-11) and Wapakoneta St. Joseph (11-5) vs Delphos St. Johns (1-11). St. Rose (5-5) also in the lower bracket drew a first round bye. Win or lose in the first game, Bluffton will play again on Wednes day night, Feb. 20, because of the double elimination feature of this year’s tournament. Should Bluffton defeat Hicksville, the Pirates will play winner of the Ada-Lima St. Johns tilt at 9 p. m. Wednesday. If the Pirates lose they will meet the loser of the Ada-St. John’s tilt at 7 p. m. on the same night. Two losses will eliminate any team from the tournament, and the win ner of the loser’s bracket will repre sent the tourney in the Sectional meet, along with the tournament champion. The two teams will not play each other at the close of the tourney. The tournament will be played in the Taft gymnasium at Ada on Feb ruary 18, 20, 21, 22, and 25. Don Koch and James Vogelgesang will be the tournament officials. Auto Runs Into Floor less Bridge An automobile which Hancock county deputy sheriffs said was driv en by Herbert Garmatter 16, of near Bluffton, crashed thru a barri cade and onto a floorless bridge on county road 38 in Union township last Thursday night. The bridge was out for a new floor when the accident occurred. The damage was estimated at $50 by County Engineer John M. Stough. Sheriff’s deputies who investigated the accident said that Garmatter came from Rawson on county road 57 and instead of going to the inter section of this road and highway 38, took a short cut south of the rail road tracks to road 38, thereby missing the “bridge out” sign at the intersection. Garmatter and three passengers, Clarence Smith 15, Norman Smith 13 and Leonard Amstutz all of Mt. Cory were uninjured. Headlights and front fenders of the car ■were damaged. County Engineer Stough said the floor beam and a few stringers were bent as well as the sway bracing. Principal damage will be the labor cost in replacing parts of the bridge. Egg And Butterfat Market Stabilized Market for eggs and butterfat ap peared to be stabilized at least tem porarily at levels which prevailed a week ago. Egg producers are re ceiving a top price of 28 cents a dozen for white eggs with a two cent lower differential for browns. Butterfat price continues strong at the 55 cent level. This market figure together with a government subsidy of 17 cents a pound brings an income of 72 cents a pound to dairy farmers marketing cream. Bluffton Invited To Pandora P. T. A. Bluffton school patrons interested in Parent-Teacher activities are in vited to attend a Founder’s night meeting of the Pandora Parent Teacher association to be held in Pandora high school on Wednesday night of next week at 7:30 o’clock. Mrs. Fred Stover of Lima will be the speaker and a social hour will follow the meeting. 1- THE BLUFFTON NEWS A NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF BLUFFTON AND VICINITY BLUFFTON, OHIO THURSDAY, FEB. 7, 1946 TEACHERS PROTEST SALARY CONTRACT ABOVE SCHEDULE Board’s Action in Hiring Manual Training Instructor Draws Teachers’ Fire Higher Salary Must be Paid if Closed Department is to Re open, Board Says Objection of Bluffton teachers to action of the board of education in hiring a manual training instructor at a figure in excess of the high school salary schedule came to a head at a joint meeting of represent tatives of the Bluffton Teachers as sociation and the •chool board, last Wednesday night. Spokesmen for teachers in attend ance at the session said they were seeking “an equal distribution of money available for the public school faculty on the basis of the present salary schedule.” Re-opening of Bluffton’s manual training department after it had been closed nearly two years was as sured last December, when the board of education employed A. Dwight Spayth for the last half of the school year on the basis of an an nual salary of $2,2Q0, with provision for a salary of $2,300 beginning next fall. Teachers attending the meeting said their objection was not a reflec tion on Spayth’s qualifications, but they were protesting that his salary is several hundred dollars greater than the maximum permitted under the school’s salary schedule. Average Salary $1,997 Under the schedule, adopted last June, annual salaries for full-time high school instructors teaching nine months of the year range from $1, 668 to $2,052, with an average of $1,997. Discussion still was at a deadlock when the meeting ended, with the teachers maintaining their objections, while the school board countered with a statement that the only hope to operate the department, which has an enrollment of 83 pupils is to pay a salary in excess of that provided by the school’s schedule. Board members pointed out that the salary schedule when adopted last June contained a clause in which the school board reserves the right to pay above or below the schedule, if in their opinion the welfare of the school demands it. Two other members of the high school faculty also are being paid in excess of the salary schedule, the school board said. The instructor in home economics, employed on 10 months basis, receives a salary above the schedule, and the coaching position is being filled on a half time basis in excess of the salary schedule. In neither case, however, is the salary as large as that provid ed for the manual training depart ment, and teachers made no issue of the matter. What Spayth’s salary would be if hired under the schedule also was a matter of dispute at last Wednes day’s meeting. This discussion centered around the technicality as to whether time he spent in the United States Navy during the war should be credited to his teaching experience. Dispute Over Credit Board members held that he was entitled to credit for the time spent in service, but teachers said that in asmuch as he was employed in priv ate industry when he enlisted, the naval service could not proper!., be credited to teaching experience. Spayth had been an instructor at West Liberty from 1938 to i 42, then worked in private industry as a tool designer until he enlisted in the Navy in February, 1943. After an evening of discussion, however, the matter still resolved itself to the conclusion that if Bluff ton hopes to again operate the man ual training department closed since June, 1944, an instructor for it must be hired above schedule, according to spokesmen for the board of education. In the intervening period of almost two years, it has been impossible to employ a manual training teacher at a figure that the local salary sched ule would permit, and the only chance to resume operations w*as in action such as taken by the board in hiring Spayth last December. New Board Approves Spayth was hired by the outgoing board of education which relinquish ed office on December 31. Of this group, however, two members, Waldo Hofstetter and Levi Althaus held over and are serving on the present (Continued on page 8) For one day at least, the Groundhog’s prediction of six more weeks of winter weather was vindi cated last Sunday and within 14 hours after he had seen his shadow on the preceding day, the tempera ture early Sunday morning sank to a mark of two degrees abov* zero. Then, just as it appeared that the Groundhog deserved his traditional role as a weather prophet, it turned warmer and remained that way thruout Monday, Tuesday and Wed nesday. In contrast to the reading of two above on Sunday morning, the mer cury reached a high mark of 50 on Tuesday night, and so far there are no indications of an early return to colder weather. Sleet on Monday morning changed to rain later in the day, as temper atures kept climbing, and there was some rainfall on Tuesday. H. S. Reserves Top Columbus Grove, 49-25 Scoring 33 points in an inspired last-half performance, Bluffton High reserves romped to an easy 49 to 25 win over Columbus Grove seconds Tuesday night on the Bluffton floor. The Pirate understudies led at the first quarter, 6 to 5, and at half time, 16 to 12. They then pro ceeded to run wild in the third period and were out in front when the whistle sounded, 34 to 19. Fifteen more points w’ere added to the team’s total in the fourth stanza. Moore, after going scoreless in the opening quarter, found the mark from that point and dropped 11 fielders thru the nets for a 22 point total. Lewis w*as next high for the Pirates with 12, Wilch got seven, and Pogue six. Junior High Defeats Pandora, 33-32 Count In their first game of the season a Bluffton Junior High school team edged Pandora seventh and eighth graders by a score of 33 to 32 Tues day evening in the Bluffton gym nasium. It took a last-half rally to turn the trick for the Pirate beginners, however, for Pandora held a 20 to 10 lead at halftime. Donald Burkholder and Donald Schmidt w-ere high point men for Bluffton, the former garnering 10 points and the latter getting nine. Bluffton Pupils In Ohio Poetry Contest Bluffton public school pupils are eligible to compete in the Allen county elimination phase of the an nual Ohio state poetry contest, it was announced this week by Orval Bur dette Lippincott, chairman of the county committee. Poems may be of any length and may be on any subject. Students may submit as many poems as they wish, but none of those submitted will be returned. The name, address, school and grade of the pupil must appear on each entry. Three winning poems will be sel ected from Allen county. These will be divided in the following grade groups 1-6 7-9 and 10-12 inclusive. Winning poems will be printed in the 1946 Anthology of Ohio verse which goes to every school, radio sta tion and library in the state. Income Tax Man Here Two Days Mr. Groundhog's Six-Weeks Weather Prediction Holds Good—For One Day Representatives from the office of the federal collector of internal reve nue will be at the mayor’s office on Thursday, February 21 and Wed nesday, March 6 to assist income taxpayers in making out their re turns. With Service Men 1st Lieut. Joel R. Kimmel, son of Mrs. L. D. Kimmel of South Main street has received his discharge from the service at Lawry Field, Denver, Colo., and returned to his home here. Master Sgt. Robert C. Motter, son in-law of Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Gratz of South Lawn avenue has been dis charged from the Army air forces after 42 months of service being as signed to the headquarters of the Air Technical Service Command. He and his wife, the former Ester Ann Gratz are on an extended motor trip thru the south and will spend some time in Florida. On their return Mr. Motter will resume his former position with the National Bank of Lima. Cemetery Will Buy New Power Mower Purchase of a second power lawn mow-er for Maple Grove cemetery was authorized Monday night by the Bluffton municipal council, in re sponse to a request for the equip ment by the cemetery board of trustees. Ordinarily equipment at the 13 acre cemetery includes two power mowers, but only one has been avail able since 1944 when an older model could no longer be used. No replace ment could be purchased during the w-ar years. Purchase of the mower will be made by the cemetery board. Re quest for authority to buy a new mower was presented to the council by Elmer Diller, clerk of the ceme tery board. Roberts-Augsburger Wedding On Sunday An early morning ceremony at the United Brethren church at Columbus Grove united in marriage Miss Vir ginia Roberts daughter of Mrs. Ethel J. Roberts of Los Angeles and Rich ard W. Augsburger, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Augsburger of Bluffton. At 8:30 o’clock Sunday morning Rev. R. L. Clark, pastor of the church officiated for the double ring cere mony. The custom of open church was observed. The altar of the church w as decor ated with palms, white snap dragons and seven branch candelabra on either side. The family pews were marked by white satin bows. A half hour of music preceded the ceremony. Miss Rose Mary Elliott, ten year old niece of the bride played “Evening Star” and “Liebestraum” and the traditional processional and recessional wedding marches. Miss Marcene Stonehill accompan ied by Miss Rita Hankish, both of Bluffton, sang “Because", “I Love You Truly”, and “Always”. The bride who was given in mar riage by her brother-in-law Myron J. Elliott, w’ore a gown of white satin, with sw'eetheart neckline, long sleeve tapering at the wrists. A full skirt was fastened to the tight bodice and ended in a long train. The finger tip veil of tulle was held in place by a coronet of seed pearls. The bride carried an orchid on a white Testament tied with white satin ribbons. Her only ornament was a gold locket a gift of the bridegroom. The matron of honor, Mrs. M. J. Elliott, a sister of the bride, wore a pink marquisette gown, fashioned with V-neck line, fitted bodice and three-quarter length sleeves. The bridesmaids were Miss Ruth Hankish and Donna Jean Elliott. They wore gowns of blue and yellow' net over taffeta, with a fitted bodice, sweetheart neckline, and full-gathered skirts. Each carried nosegays of pastel flow'ers. Donivan Augsburger, a brother of the groom w’as best man. Ushers u’ere Thomas Conaway and Robert Cooney. Men of the wedding party wore boutonniers of w’hite carnations. Gifts w’ere presented the attendants by both the bride and groom. Mrs. Ethel Roberts mother of the bride chose for the occasion a gown of black trimmed in black sequin and black accessories with a corsage of white carnations. A reception for the immediate families was held following the cere mony in the Blue room at the Wit teborg restaurant in Columbus Grove. A three-tier wedding cake topped by a miniature bride and groom was cut by the bride and groom. A large bowl of pink and white snap dragons centered the table, and w’hite tapers burned at either end. The bride is a graduate of Colum bus Grove high school and the past two years has been employed in Cal ifornia. The groom is a graduate of Bluffton high school and was recent ly discharged from the Army. When the couple left for their w'ed ding trip, the bride wore for travel ing, a powdered blue wool dress with brown accessories and an orchid cor sage. Wheaton Choir At Ebenezer Church The chapel choir of Wheaton col lege, Wheaton, Ill., will give a con cert of sacred music at the Ebenezer Mennonite church on Thursday night February 14 at 8 o’clock. The choir consists of 35 voices and is making a tour through the east including stops in Pennsylvania and New York states and Washing ton, D. C. Their present itinerary schedules 19 concerts in 13 days and over 2,000 miles of travel. NUMBER 42 RICHLAND TWP. TO GET HARD SURFACE ROADS AND BRIDGE Four Miles of New Hard Sur faced Highways Planned for This Summer Tom Fett and Swaney Roads Slated for $10,400 Improve ment Program Four miles of new hard-surfaced roads and one bridge will be built in Richland township next spring aa a part of an extensive $335,000 Allen county road and bridge improvement program announced this w’eek. Work in the township includes the surfacing of three miles of the Tom Fett road and one mile of the Swaney road, county officials said. The Tom Fett road improvement will extend from the Putnam county line to the Rockport road, and sur facing of the Swaney road will be between the Dixie and Lincoln high W’ays. Estimated cost of the road con struction is $2,600 per mile, or a total of $10,400. New Bridge The new bridge will be built on the Tom Fett road south of the Ernest Gratz farm buildings. It will replace the present structure across a ditch at that place. No estimate of the cost has been made. Allen county road crews will do the work entailed in the spring program, with the cost being shared by the county and township. In the $335,000 county program proposed by County Engineer Hobart Mumaugh, $85,000 has been set aside for new’ county roads, $135,000 for new' township roads and $30,000 for new bridge construction. Other Projects Also involved in the proposal are maintenance of all county and town ship roads at a cost of $60,000 general maintenance of bridges and drainage at $30,000, and county petitioned ditch w’ork at $20,000. There are some 800 miles of county and township roads in Allen county. The 1946 program is larger than any during the war, and is ap proximately the same in volume as that accomplished in 1941 However the cost is considerably greater than five years ago. Bluffton Woman On Radio Broadcasts Mrs. Beulah Bernard of Bluffton will present a quarter-hour program Sunday morning from 11:45 until noon over Findlay radio station WFIN. She will read the following poems of her own composition: “My Gift,” “The Street That I Live On,” ‘Dis illusion,” and “Because of You.” Her vocal numbers will be “Bless This House” and “Some Sunday Morning,” together with accordion numbers. Also on Friday afternoon at 4:45 will be heard a quarter-hour of Mrs. Bernard’s recent recordings made in Philadelphia. Among these will be the Rachmaninoff C-sharp minor pre lude and “Nola” by Felix Arndt to gether with a medley of popular numbers, By the Light of the Silv’ry Moon, The Waltz You Saved for Me, “Five Foot Two, and "The I World is Waiting for the Sunrise.* Bank To Close On Lincoln’s Birthday The Citizens National Bank will be closed next Tuesday in observance of Lincoln’s birthday, and special exer cises will be held in the public schools in observance of the day. Bluffton business and industry will operate as usual, however, and the cutomary mail deliveries and window senice will be provided by the post office here. Real Estate Deals Mrs. Mary King Schiffke sold two lots on Harmon road south of the hospital to Richard Davies, recently discharged war veteran. The Davies family are making their home with Mrs. Davies’ parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank McElroy of South Main street. Paul Miller of near Lafayette has I purchased the property of the late Wm. Alspaugh on Railroad street. Mr. and Mrs. Miller moved into the place during the past week. They are the parents of Mrs. Justin Grata i of Dayton, formerly of Bluffton.