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BLUFFTON A Good Place to Live VOLUME LXXI MEAT MARKETS AWAIT WORD ON OPA PRICE POLICY Retail Prices to Remain Un changed for Present, Dealers Announce. Federal Board’s Decision on Prices to be Made on __ Friday. Retail meat prices in Bluffton will remain unchanged for the present, it was announced by dealers here Wednesday morning following word that the federal Price Decontrol Board has ordered recontrol of prices on livestock, meats, soybeans and •cottonseed products. On Friday OPA will reveal wheth er retail ceiling prices of meat and the other products covered by the order are to be rolled back to their June 30 levels. Dealers here assumed that should June 30 retail price levels be re stored some action will be necessary to bring livestock quotations down to a comparable figure. Whether this will result in another shortage of meat, butcher shop oper ators here refused to predict, pend ing further word as to OPA’S pro gram which is to be more fully out lined Friday. Shortage May Follow However, they said that unless it is possible to buy an adequate vol ume of livestock at a price which will permit profitable processing and •operation of their business, a short age will be inevitable. In slapping controls back on meat which represents about 19 per cent of the average family’s budget, the board announced that prices had risen unreasonably above June 30 •ceilings plus subsidy. Also that the supply was short and that regulation was practicable, enforceable and in the public interest. The board also warned that price controls will be clamped on milk and dairy products if prices go up. In permitting dairy products, including milk, butter, cheese, ice cream and other food and feed products to re main free from further price con trol the board stated that it failed to find that prices had risen un reasonably. Geiger Is Building New Business Room Erection of a building to serve as an electrical appliance show and salesroom is well under way at the residence of Maynard Geiger on Cherry street. The new structure adjoins the Geiger house and will be completed this summer. With Service Men 1st Lt. Ropp Triplett, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Triplett of Campus Drive has received his discharge from the army and returned to his home here after ten months service in the European theatre of war. Pfc. Robert Diller, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harley Diller, northwest of Bluffton has received his army dis charge at Ft. Meade and returned home after 12 months service in the European area. Births The following births at Bluffton hospital: Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Richard, Lima, a girl, Kay Ann, Wednesday. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lanning, Bluff ton, a girl, Sandra Jean, Tuesday. Mr. and Mrs. Arven Scheele, Bluff ton, a boy, Tuesday. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Oberly, Rawson, a girl, Sherry Lyn, Tues day. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lewis, Bluffton, a girl, Joan Rae, Monday. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hart, New Carlisle, a boy, Jim E., Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Jones, Jr., Bluffton, a girl, Linda Sue, Friday. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Wilch, Je nera, a girl, Sharon Rae, Thursday. Mr. and Mrs. James Burkholder, Bluffton, a boy, Harvey Davidson, at Findlay hospital, August 10. Mr. and Mrs. John Backensto, of Lancaster, Pa., a girl, Friday. Mrs. Backensto is the former LaVaun Kohli, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Aldine Kohli of West College Ave. Fingers Shattered In Shotgun Blast Fred Biederman, farmer residing on the Allen-Hancock county line north of town is a patient in Bluff ton hospital with the fourth and fifth fingers of his left hand shat tered as the result of a shotgun blast, Tuesday. The injury occurred when the gun accidentally discharged while Bieder man was putting it away at his home. His condition was reported satisfactory Wednesday morning. BLUFFTON COLLEGE MEN, WOMEN WILL SWAP DORMITORIES Coeds To Be In Larger Lincoln Hall This Fall Men In Ropp Hall Change Will Be For One Year Until More Accommodations Available Bluffton college men students will be housed in the women’s dormitory this fall and coeds will take over the larger men’s dormitory, as the latest development on the campus in the community’s housing shortage. Lincoln hall, the men’s dormitory which will be used thruout the next school year by women, has accom modations for 100, and Ropp hall, in which men now live will be housed has rooms for 52. Fifteen other men will stay in the former H. W. Berky residence at the edge of the campus, purchas ed last spring by the college, and the overflow will be placed in private homes about the town. The switch in dormitories was ap proved by college officials this week, because it was believed best to house men in rooms off the campus, instead of women, as would have been the case had coeds continued to use the cramped facilities of Ropp hall. Accommodations for Married Couples Additional accommodations are available on the campus for married couples. The quarters are provided by trailers, prefabricated houses and temporary housing apartments on the college grounds. Advance registration of women is sufficient to fill Lincoln hall to capacity when classes begin, Septem ber 12, and with more men regis trations being received daily it is anticipated approximately 100 of them will need rooms for the fall term. Aggregate campus accom modations for single men will be only 67, in Ropp Hall and the Berky annex, and rooms will have to be found in private homes about the town for the overflow. During war years, Lincoln hall never was filled, and last year only one floor was used for men, with women being quartered on the second floor. The third floor of the large structure was empty. Arrangements to house men in Ropp hall and women in Lincoln hall this year were described by President L. L. Ramseyer as a temporary measure only, and before the opening of another school term it is anticipated that additional housing accommodations will be owned by the college, eliminating the shift in dormitory assignments necessary this year. Richard Moyer In Benton Ridge School Richard Moyer of Mt. Cory and Bluffton college graduate has been hired as principal and seventh and eighth grade instructor in the Ben ton Ridge schools for the coming year. Mrs. Merle Folk also of Mt. Cory has been hired as first and second grade teacher in the Benton Ridge schools. Repair “Short” In Street Lights Here New Beaverdam Industry Begins Manufacture Of House Trailers A short circuit in Bluffton’s street lighting service which kept part of the town’s streets in darkness the first of the week has been repaired, it was announced Wednesday. The short circuit followed heavy rains of the past week. Expect to Employ 25 Men When Full Production Is Reached Concern Takes Over Formef Lewis Lumber Yard On Lincoln Highway Beaverdam’s newest industry, the Buckeye Coach and Manufacturing company began operations this week at the former Lewis Lumber yard on the west side of the village on the Lincoln highway near the Nickel Plate crossing. The company which is reported as being backed by outside interests re cently purchased from the Jesse Lewis estate the lumber yard to gether with a garage and service station. The buildings are being remodeled and refitted for installation of ma chinery which has already been put into operation on a limited scale. When full production is reached about 25 men will be employed it was stated from the company’s offices. Main product of the company will be house trailers and factory opera tions will be in charge of W. E. Dix on of Vicksburg, Mississippi, who is described as having had wide exper ience in this field of manufacturing. Most of the labor will be drawn from Beaverdam and vicinity. The company said to have been searching for a location in a small town w’ith minimum possibilities of labor trouble, is reported to have selected Beaverdam as best suited to its needs. Defenseless Church Calls New Pastor Rev. Edgar J. Shady of Newark, Ohio, w’ho has accepted a call to the pastorate of the Defenseless Men nonite church will begin his duties here Sunday. He recently resigned a pulpit in Newark and will move here with his wife and three child ren next week. The family will live on the John Kinsinger farm north west of Bluffton. The Defenseless chyirch has been without a minister since last Feb ruary w’hen the pastor, Rev. Stanley Rupp resigned and moved with his family to Lafayette, Indiana. Donna Hartzler And James Harnish Wed Wedding of Miss Donna Hartzler, bookkeeper in the business office of Bluffton college and James Harnish of Eureka, Ill., took place in the Pleasant View Church of the Breth ren near Lima, Wednesday after noon. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond L. Hartzler of Bloomington and the bridegroom the son of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Harn ish of Eureka. Attending the bride was her sis ter, Miss Willagene Hartzler of Bloomington and John Harnish of Eureka, brother of the bridegroom was best man. Rev. Clarence Bow man of Johnstown, Pa., former pas tor of the church, officiated. Following the ceremony the cou ple left on a wedding trip to Ni agara Falls and Canada. Mr. Harnish who has been en gaged in civilian public service will enter Bluffton college this fall as a sophomore and Mrs. Harnish, who was graduated from the college in the class of 1945 will continue her position in the business office. The couple will live in Lincoln hall. Beaverdam Hires Three New Teachers Three new teachers have been hired for the coming year in the Beaverdam schools, it was announced Tuesday. They are Harry Barnes of Bluff ton who will divide his time between Bluffton and Beaverdam as instruct orin vocational agriculture Mrs. Dana Everett of Col. Grove, teacher in the fifth and sixth grades and Mrs. Carey Stratton of near Bluff ton, instructor in home economics. BUSINESS MEN MEET Meeting of Bluffton Business Men’s association will be held at the Wal nut Grill on Wednesday night of next week at 8:30 o’clock. THE BLUFFTON NEWS A NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF BLUFFTON AND VICINITY BLUFFTON. OHIO THURSDAY, AUG. 22, 1946 COUNCIL TURNS OOWN LIGHT PLANT BOND CONTRACT WATER SUPPLY TO BE CHLORINATED HERE THIS FALL Chlorine Treatment Of Water Recommended By State Board of Health Taste Of Water Expected To Differ Little Only Minor Treatment Needed Chlorination of Bluffton’s munici pal water supply will be started this fall as a precautionary measure advised by the State Board of Health, it was announced this week by the board of public affairs. Expenditure of $1,600 requested by the board to cover the approxi mate cost of purchase and installa tion of chlorination equipment was approved Monday night at a meeting of the town council, and work on the project will get under way as soon as materials are delivered. Altho Bluffton’s water supply has never shown anything other than pure tests, adding chlorine has been urged by state health officials as a safeguard against possible epidemics. Chlorination equipment will be housed in a separate building which will be erected over the main lines on the water works grounds. The installation must be protected from severe winter weather, it was pointed out. Taste of Bluffton’s water likely will be affected very little by the addition of chlorine, members of the board of public affairs feel. The amount of the chemical added can be regulated and since Bluffton’s water already is technically pure chlorina tion here will not be excessive. In many larger communities using river or lake waters heavy chlorina tion is necessary to overcome pollu tion, but Bluffton’s water supply comes from deep wells which always have rated high in purity tests. Funeral Thursday For Jesse Hummon Jesse M. Hummon, 60, farmer, died at his home north of Bluffton Tuesday morning at 3 o’clock fol lowing a heart attack. The body is at the Coldren funeral home in Findlay where it will re main for services Thursday after noon at 2 o’clock. Interment will be in the Clymer cemetery. A native of Putnam county, Mr. Hummon was born November 10, 1885. His parents were Peter and Sarah (Harris) Hummon. In 1908 he was married to Fannie M. Whis ler w’ho died in 1919. In 1920 he married Eva Whisler who survives. Besides his wife, he leaves two sons by the first marriage, Kenneth A. Hummon, Toledo, and Edmund Whisler Hummon, Bluffton two grandchildren three sisters, Mrs. Jake Allen, Fayette Mrs. Ira Stein er, Glendale, Calif. and Mrs. Elmer Short, Bluffton and one brother, Lloyd Hummon, Findlay. One bro ther, Wilbur Hummon, is deceased. Mr. Hummon was a member of the Pleasant View United Brethren church. Former Bluffton Woman Is Married Wedding of Mrs. Nina Klay rk ey of Cleveland, formerly of Bluffton and Joseph Rush also of Cleveland took place in that city on August 3, according to word received here the first of the week. The ceremony was performed at the home of the bride's sister, Mrs. Charles Cattran, and Mr. and Mrs. Cattran attended the couple. Fol lowing the ceremony the couple left on a trip to Niagra Falls and are now making their home temporarily with the Cattrans. The bride is a native of Bluffton, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Chris Klay who lived on South Lawn avenue and a sister of George K'ay of South Mound street. Huber Family In Annual Reunion Annual reunion of the Huber family washel at Paulding Com munity house south of Bluffton in Jackson township, Sunday. Seventy five were present. Officers re-elected to serve for the coming year are: Pres., Earl Huber, Ada sec., Mrs. Hazel Hess, Findlay. Awards for their contribution to the war effort as members of the war committees of the American Standards Association were present ed to R, L. Triplett and F. J. Lingel, of The Triplett Electrical Instru ment Co., at a Victory Day dinner held Thursday at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York city. Speaking on the first anniversary of V-J Day, Brig. General Donald Armstrong, told those gathered at the dinner to receive the awards that the war production record of Mood of Relaxation Apparent In Those Who Follow’ For tunes Of Home Teams Turnout For Games Greater Than in Pre-War Years Interest Expands Night softball play at Harmon field, a recreational feature that had to be discontinued during the war years, this summer is attracting the largest spectator crowds in history. A w-ell-filled stadium has witness ed nearly every’ tilt played under the floodlights at Harmon field this season, and the verdant greensward glistening under the brilliant lights provides a pleasant setting for an evening of relaxation. Spectator turnouts for some of the contests have been virtually as large as those attracted by the high school football team in the fall, but the spirit of those in the stands is entirely different. Instead of the tense and belliger ently partisan mood that keeps a football crowd on edge, softball spectators are good natured and relaxed. Of course, there is the natural desire for the home team to win, but no one gets al) “hot and txithered” about the game’s outcome, with the result that good plays can be cheered regardless of who makes them. Harmon field’s physical equipment for night play is distinctly above the average, and the equal of any thing that Lima and Findlay can offer. The lighting system is excel lent, and the spacious stadium provides plenty of seating space. No charge is made for admission, and the Triplett team, which plays some of the best outfits in this area in the nocturnal tilts, pays the rent al charge for lights, etc. All pro ceeds of the collection taken at each game goes to the town’s summer recreational program for children. Umpires, too, contribute their bit toward providing recreation for the town without renumeration. Wilford Gratz calls them behind the plate, with Gail Mumma and Oliver Steiner officiating on the bases and their only reward is the customery “beefs” and complaints that come from spectators and players alike. A queen snake, measuring 36’4 inches in length, caught by Charles Triplehorn of South Main street is declared by reptilia experts to be the largest of its kind ever found in this country. Triplehorn, a student at Ohio State university and specialist in snakes and their habits, caught it on an island in the Auglaize river near Defiance this summer where he was in charge of a Boy Scout camp. Two Bluffton Men Receive A. S. A. Awards For War Contributions The reptile was sent to the Phila delphia zoological park where the curator, Roger Conant, said it was the largest of its kind he had ever seen. Night Softball In Brilliant Harmon Field Setting Popular With Fans It has since died and is now mounted and on exhibition at the Ohio State Archaeological and His torical museum in Columbus where Triplehorn is assistant curator in charge of the reptilia section. The queen snake is of the non venomous water species, generally brown in color, the longest on record being 33 inches. Triplehorn said when he saw- the snake and had no means of catching it he took off his shirt and threw it over the reptile to prevent it getting away. Record Length Snake Is Caught By Bluffton Reptilia Specialist American industry was made pos sible thru the voluntary coopera tion of all industry to accept indus trial standards. Joint mass production standards set up by committees on which the two local men served helped Ameri can war production set unsurpassed records. More than 600 industrial, govern ment and other groups participate in the work of the American stand ards association. Awards were made to 250 persons at the dinner. LINES FOR WATER SERVICE LAID IN NEW ADDITIONS New Mains Are Being I^aid To Three New’ Areas Opened For Residences Extension Of Water Service Will Provide Fire Protection For All Parts Of Town Laying of four-inch water lines to three new Bluffton subdivisions, a project involving 4,050 feet of new mains is under way by the munici pal w’ater works. In addition to providing residential water service to the outlaying dis tricts, the extension of lines will provide fire protection for every house in the corporation, and fire hydrants will be installed at strateg ic locations. Under way is the laying of 1,200 feet of new mains out Jefferson street, from Huber street east to the Allen-Hancock county line road, which marks the east boundary line of the town. Work on the project which will serve principally the new Fred Mueller addition on Jefferson street will be completed this w’eek. North On Dixie The longest stretch of new lines will be an extension of the Main street water service from the A. C. & Y. railroad 1,700 feet north to a short distance beyond *the Harvey Wilch house in the Mueller Dixie highway addition. On West Elm street a new’ line will be installed from the Clayton Murray residence 750 feet west to College road, and 400 feet north to the new house built last fall by Clifford Houtz. Additional water mains represent only one phase of Bluffton’s munici pal expansion required by the rapid growth of residential areas, with extensive work remaining to be done in opening new streets and alleys. Purchase of a new’ road scraper is being considered by the town at this time to handle the grading required. Real Estate Deal Carl Lehman, business manager of Bluffton college has purchased the residence of Mrs. W. F. lutzi on Grove street. Lehman expects to occupy the property this fall and Mrs. lutzi will move to the former Clymer property on Cherry street which she recently purchased from Edgar Chamberlain. The deal was handled by Mrs. H. W. Althaus. Funeral Friday For Mrs. Dortha Plaugher Funeral services will be held for Mrs. Dortha Plaugher, 39, at the United Brethren church southwest of Beaverdam, Friday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock Burial will lie in the Lewis Grove cemetery. Mrs. Plaugher, wife of Everett Plaugher of near Harrod died Tues day in San Antonio hospital, Kaneon following a four months’ illness. Surviving are hei husband, five children and two brothers, A. H. Chrisman of Columbus und Cecil Chrisman of Lima. BLUFFTON A Good Place to Trade NUMBER 18 TERMS IN SALE OF BONDS HIT AS TOO DRASTIC Provision for Foreclosure on Plant Draws Fire of Council Chamber. A Council Refers Contract Back to Board of Public Affairs for Study. Because of provisions which they deemed too severe, Bluffton’s town council Monday night refused to sign the contract presented by Stranahan, Harris & Co., Toledo bond buyers who were low bidders on the issue of $125,000 in revenue bonds to finance improvements at the municipal light plant here. The council’s stand came as an unforseen development in what was expected to have been routine procedure in final steps of legislation necessary to authorize the bond issue. Contract from the Toledo bond buying firm arrived here by mail Monday morning and councilmen first learned of its provisions when it was presented at the meeting Monday night. A voluminous docu ment, it required nearly a half-hour for reading by W. O. Geiger, town clerk. Council Criticizes Contract Singled out for council criticism of the contract was a section providing that in case any of the bond payments over a 20-year period should be defaulted, holders of 25 per cent of the bonds could proceed with foreclosure on the light plant. Also included in the proposed contract was provision that in case foreclosure proceedings w’ere insti tuted, interests taking over the plant would begranted a 20-year franchise’ to provide electrical current for the towm, with rates to be adjusted up ward whenever necessary to guaran tee a return of eight per cent to the plant owners. News To Council Councilmen said these conditions were not presented to them at a meeting two weeks ago when they were asked to certify the Toledo bond firm as low- bidders for pur chase of the light plant bonds. Dissatisfaction w’ith the contract resulted in their refusal to sign it as presented, and they referred the matter back to the board of public affairs for its consideration of the conditions. Members of the board said Tues day they had not seen the contract prior to its submission to the council, and that they would study it and make a recommendation to councilmen soon. Foreclosure Is Target Principal target of councilmen at Monday’s meeting was the section giving bond holders the right to foreclose on the plant should it be impossible to meet any single pay ment when it falls due. Altho it is felt the plant is in a position to finance adequately the bond program, it was cited that dur ing the last depression outstanding bonds for improvement at the plant w’ere defaulted for virtually a 10 year period. Should those conditions be repeat ed during the 20 years the bond issue is in effect, it is reasonably possible Bluffton would lose its municipal plant under the conditions of the contract proposed by the bond buyer*. Pay For Street Lights Another phase of the contract regarded with disfavor by’ council men was the stipulation that the village would be required to pay for its street lights should plant earnings drop below a certain level established by the contract at any time during the 20-year period bonds were outstanding. Uncertainty clouded the future of the proposed $125,000 bond issue as a result of council’s dissatisfaction witn the contract. It was felt in some sources that perhaps the severity of the contract is due io the fact that the bonds bear a low interest rate (1.98 per cent) and that they are secured only by earnings of the plant. Bonds of the plant defaulted dur ing the depression of the thirties w-ere in an issue representing a general lien on the village, and bore five per cent interest. Higher Interest Bonds? Whether bonds could be sold now (Continued on page 8)