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BLUFFTON A Good Place To Live VOLUME LXXI HIGH PRICES DELAY BUYING BOILER FOR LIGHT PLANT HERE Bids for Boiler and Stack Re jected by Board of Public Affairs Contracts Awarded for Feed Water Heater and Boiler Water Softener Plans for expansion of Bluffton’s municipal electric light plant struck a new snag last Thursday night when members of the board of public af fairs rejected bids for a boiler and stack, principal items in the improve ment program. Rejection of the bids resulted from the board’s belief that the two pro posals submitted represented too great an expenditure of funds to war rant proceeding with the work at this time, a spokesman for the group said following the meeting. On the basis of low bids submit ted, an aggregate expenditure of $104,408 would have been entailed for the installation of a new boiler and stack. Of this amount, $71,908 would have been ear-marked for the boiler and $32,500 for the stack. For the entire expansion program, the board has $125,000 raised thru revenue bonds issued last summer, and of that amount a total of $9,708 will go for a feed water heater and a water softener, contracts for which were let by the board at the Thurs day meeting. The softener for boiler water will be purchased from the Worthington Pump and Machinery Corp., Harri son, N. J., for $5,859. Contract for the feed water heater went to the Swart out Co., Cleveland, on a bid of $3,849. In view of the high cost of install ing a new boiler and a new stack to serve the plant, the board has under consideration an alternate plan to ask for bids on a boiler with a blower equipped steel stack. Under this proposal the present stack would be retained for operation of the existing boiler, which wilt be used as a standby after the new’ boil er is in operation. Funeral Thursday For Gossman Child Linda Lee Gossman, infant daugh ter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Goss man of Cherry street died at Bluff ton hospital Wednesday at 12:15 a. m. following a brief illness. She was aged two months and four days. Services will be held at the Ba singer funeral home Thursday after noon at 2 o’clock with Rev. Irvin Kaufman officiating. Interment will be in the Thompson cemetery. Surviving besides the parents are the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Al bert Gossman of Bluffton and Mr. and Mrs. David Kauffman of Ot tawa. Woman In Hospital After Auto Crash Mrs. Odelia Nagel, 51, of Minster, is in Bluffton hospital with injuries received when the car in which she was riding skidded from the Dixie highway at a curve on the south edge of Beaverdam and crashed into a telephone pole last Thursday night at 7 o’clock. Mrs. Nagel sustained a severe cut on the right forehead together with chest bruises. She and her 15-year old daughter Joan who was in the car at the time of the accident, were brought to the hospital in the Diller ambulance. The daughter was discharged after receiving first-aid treatment for minor injuries. Mrs. Nagel’s son Stanley, 22, of Dayton, driver of the car was unhurt. Beaverdam Institute Scheduled For Feb. 12 Beaverdam community institute will be held Wednesday afternoon and evening, Feb. 12 in the Beaver dam high school auditorium. Speak ers will be Rev. Arthur Romig and Rev. Paul Graeser, both of Lima. Officers are: Pres., Lewis Van Meter vice pres., Ira LaRue secre tary, C. L. Rupright. Annual Hospital Meeting Monday Annual business meeting of the Bluffton hospital shareholders will be held at the high school cafeteria next Monday night at 7:30 o’clock, it was announced the first of the week. Makes National Record PD R. Reichenbach, Bluffton ^Postmaster who received national recognition for standing record made post office here during Air Mail Week recently. The Bluffton volunteer fire depart ment had the flames under control in 30 minutes, but stood by for two hours to prevent possibility of an other outbreak of flames. Boy Scout Troop To Re-organize Monday Record Of Bluffton Postmaster And Post Office Gets National Recognition the out by the BLAZE AT BIXEL MOTOR CAUSES $3,500 DAMAGE Fire Due to Overheated Chim ney Breaks Out in Office and Parts Room Fire Gained Headway Under Roof of Structure Before Being Discovered Fire at the Bixel Motor salesroom and garage on Cherry street last Thursday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock resulted in a $3,500 loss with prin cipal damage in the office and parts department. Believed to have originated from an over-heated chimney, the blaze broke out on the second floor and had gained considerable headway be fore it was discovered by Clayton Bixel, head of the company. Automobiles in the garage at the rear of the building were not dam aged, and the fire was restricted to the front part where the office and parts department were located. Reorganization of Bluffton Boy Scout Troop No. 82 will be effected at a meeting in the American Le gion hall at 8 p. m. next Monday night. The American Legion post will be new sponsor of the troop, and the re-organization will be one of the features of the regular meeting of the group. Frederick Reichenbach, post commander, will preside. Appearing on the program and assisting in re-organization will be Ollie Bahler, of Lima, representing scouting for the Shawnee council Bob Changnon, field executive of the Shawnee Council Rev. Vernon C. Oppermann, neighborhood commis sioner Rev. Ernest Bigelow, district organization and activity chairman and former Troop 82 committeemen including Ralph T. Stearns, chair man W .A. Howe, A. J. Nonna maker and Robert Potts. Motion pictures will be shown on various phases of scouting activity. Former members of Troop 82, par ents of boys, Legion members and all other boys and parents interested in scouting are invited to attend. Orange Twp. Youth's Funeral On Thursday Funeral services for William Rus sell Creeger, 14-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Creeger of Orange township will be held at Emmauel’s Reformed church south of Bluffton Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Rev. V. C. Oppermann, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Foun tain cemetery, Fostoria. The youth died suddenly at his i home Sunday night following a two days’ illness. Death was due to hemophilia. He was a freshman in Mt. Cory high school. Surviving are his parents and a younger brother, Larry David. Also I surviving are grandparents Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Whitney and Mr. and lMrs. Frank Duncan all of Fostoria. National Air Mail Week Achievements Are Cited in “The Postmaster’s Gazette” Picture of Postmaster Reichen bach and Article Praise 209% Increase Record of Bluffton post office in promotion of week last fall outstanding in dicated in an the current issue of Postmaster's Gazette, a nationally circulated pub lication. National Air Mail was one of the most the country, it is in article appearing in Bluffton’s activities in which air mail handled during the week, Octo ber 27 to November 2, showed a 209 per cent increase over the monthly Waverage were cited as outstanding in the nation, and Postmaster Reichen bach’s photograph was pictured in recognition of the event. Complete description of the many phases of Bluffton’s promotional ac tivity was included in the article, with particular emphasis paid to the airmail educational program among Bluffton’s 484 public school students. Describing that feature, the ar ticle stated: “An air mail educa tional program among Bluffton’s 484 public school students, including an individual marking for each pupil, sponsored by the Community Sports man’s club, marked the Bluffton post office observance of National Air Mail Week. Students Get Envelopes “Each student in the school sys tem received an air mail stamped envelope free, each of the envelopes being imprinted with a special ca chet These the students mailed during National Air Mail week. The envelopes were delivered to the stu dents, after which groups were con ducted thru the post office and saw their air mail letters dispatched to the place of address. “Special cachet envelopes were provided at the post office windows by Postmaster Ed R. Reichenbach. A slogan that is recognized thruout the nation is: “When there is an important job to be done, turn it over to the Postmasters of the na tion and rest assured it will be done.” Bluffton’s percentage of increase was one of the greatest in the na tion’s more than 48,000 post offices, and Reichenbach was honored ac cordingly in the Postmaster's Ga zette. For 10 years, Postmaster Reichenbach was Allen County di rector in the National Association of Postmasters, but resigned this year. Library Circulation Is 23,659 For 1946 Readership of Bluffton public li brary books increased in 1946, with 2,602 more volumes circulated than during the preceding year, according to a report made this week by Li brarian Ocie Anderson Total book circulation for 1946 was 23,659, which means that one book was borrowed and one returned every minute the library was open. Circulation figures include only the volumes which left the library, as no record is kept of reading room activity. By using Bluffton’s population to determine the per capita circulation, Miss Anderson said the library loaned 12 books per person during the year. In contrast the Lima li brary circulation was six books per capita. During the year, 610 new volumes were added to the library thru pur chase and donations. The library now has 13,25 ^volumes on its shelves. With the Sick Mrs. M. M. Murray who has been in Bluffton hospital for the past two months following a paralytic stroke is slowly improving but will remain in the hospital for an indefinite time. Mrs. Martha Flick who was a medical patient in the hospital is much improved and is now at the home of her son Donald Flick in De troit. Miss Huldah Schifferly is still con fined to her home on Poplar street as a result of hip injuries received in a fall on the ice a month ago. Collect Tax On Real Estate Here Feb. 4-5 Deputies from the Allen county treasurer's office will be in Bluffton at the Citizens bank Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 4 and 5 to collect real estate taxes for the first half of 1946. 1HE BLUFFTON NEWS A NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF BI UFFTON AND VICINITY BLUFFTON, OHIO THURSDAY, JAN 16, 1947 HIGHER SCALE OF TEACHERS’ PAY SET BY SCHOOL BOARD Get $100 Boost, Plus One Per Cent for Each Year's Service Board Sets Compromise Salary Scale in Third Meeting of Week In their third meeting of the week, the Bluffton board of education last Saturday night revamped the pres ent salary schedule for teachers rep resenting an effort to compromise differences existing in the teaching staff between old and new instruc tors. Under the new salary classifica tion, 17 full-time and three part time teachers in the public schools system will receive an average an nual salary of $2,165, an increase of $159 over the previous aVerage of 151,996. Each full-time instructor will re ceive a flat increase of $100, plus one per cent of the previous salary for each year of service in the local school system, up to a .maximum of 14 years. Effective on January 1 of this year, and continufikg until the close of the school year on August 31, the schedule applies, without dis tinction to grade or high school teachers. Salaries of custodians were in creased by the board on the same basis, and the monthly Remuneration of four school bus drivers was boos ted from $52.50 to $55 for January’ thru May. Under the new plan the average salary of custodians went up from $1,812 to $1,880 for the current contract term expiring June 30. 60% of Levy for Salaries In drafting of the plan the board reaffirmed its previous position that 60% of the $10,000 realized from the 2 mill levy will be distributed in sala ries during the calender year. This earmarks $6,000 in salaries to teach ers, men and bus drh •’zwand $4,000 fo upkeep of buikHjv''M.'and ether physical equipment. However, for the current school year, as distinguished from the cal ender year only $4,546 of the $6,000 will be distributed. This will give the pro-rata increase for teachers to the close of their contract period on Au gust 31, custodians to June 30 and bus drivers to May 31. The remaining portion of the $6,000 fund will be used to continue the present increase for the remainder of the calender year to December 31. Although school sessions close fur the term in May, the official school year closes August 31, and teachers’ salaries are paid during the summer, being computed on a 12-months’ ba sis. This means that under the new sal ary setup, instructors will receive in creased pay for eight months of the current school year, January thru August. The amount expended this school year for salaries therefore ac tually represents only two-thirds of the annual increase. However, it was stated by board members that teachers returning next year will receive not less than the salaries set up for the remainder of this year, giving them the benefit of the full annual increase. The total expended for teaching instruction un der the new schedule is $40,056. Board members also pointed out that if additional funds are received from the state it may be possible to further increase the salary figure. All Get $100 In the adjustment schedule deter (Continued on page 8) Births The following births at Bluffton hospital: Mr. and Mrs .Donald Harris, Bluffton, a girl, Linda Marie, Tues day. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Devier, Bluffton, a boy, Stephen Alan, Tues day. Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Guillen, Ot tawa, a girl Mary Lou, Saturday. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Caughman, Bluffton, a girl, Diane Elaine, Sat urday. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Mikesell, Beaverdam, a boy, Ronald Lee, last Wednesday. Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Deppler, Lima, a girl, Diane at Findlay hos pital last Wednesday. Mr. Deppler is formerly of Bluffton. Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Lora, a boy, Stephen Thomas at Findlay hospital, Saturday. Mr. Lora is formerly of Bluffton. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Reynolds of Lubbock, Texas, a boy, David Carl last Wednesday, Mrs, Reynolds is the former Josephine Augsburger of Bluffton. Butter prices in Bluffton stores dropped sharply the first of the week from 80 cents a pound last Saturday to 71 cents, Wednesday morning. The break in butter prices which is general over the country is be lieved by some observers to be the forerunner of generally lower prices for foodstuffs. Farmers producing butterfat are likewise selling their product on a lower market, the price Wednesday morning being quoted at 72 cents a pound as compared with 81 cents a week ago. Other downward trends in prices have applied to orange, lemon and grapefruit juices, which now are selling for approximately 50 per cent less than two weeks ago. These discussion Of General Interest Is Featured Also Music, Drama Joint Meetings Feature Pro gram No Morning Ses sions This Year Featuring talks and discussion on subjects of general community inter est, Bluffton’s annual two-day com munity institute will be opened Wednesday afternoon of next week in the Bluffton High school auditor ium. Retail Butter Prices Register Drop Of Nine Cents First Of Week Offering a varied program of in structive talks, discussion sessions and entertainment features, the in stitute will follow a pattern in keep ing with the trend of the last several years toward a more complete con sideration of the social aspects of towm and community life. Highlighting the two-day session will be the Wednesday night pro i gram featuring special music, talks by state speakers and dramatic of ferings. Two Day Community Institute To Open In Bluffton Next Wednesday No Morning Sessions An innovation this year is the discontinuance of morning sessions during the two-day meeting, thereby concentrating institute activity Wed nesday afternoon and night, and Thursday afternoon. Wednesday’s opening session will start at 1:30 p. m. the evening pro gram will begin at 7:30 p. m. and the Thursday afternoon session will open at 1 p. m. Complete details of the two-day program appear on Pages 6 and 7 of this issue of The News. Heading an impressive list of speakers appearing on the institute program this year are Rev. William Stauffer, of Sugar Creek, O., a Bluffton college graduate in 1932, and Mrs. Ruth Arnold Steva, of St. Marys. Rebuilding Worn-out Farms Rev. Stauffer has been active in agricultural activity and now is co owner-operator of 300 acres experi menting in re-building three worn out farms. He is chairman of the rural rehabilitation for returning service men. Mrs. Steva is nationally known in farm organizations, and has served as trustee of the Ohio Farm Bureau, the governor’s tax committee, in 4-H club work, and rural electrification activities and is an active Sunday school and church worker. Funeral Friday For Mrs. Stephen Shulaw Funeral services for Mrs. Ada Viola Shulaw, 64, of Lafayette Rt. 1, will be held in the Lafayette Meth odist church, Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock with Rev. W. B. Arthur offi ciating. Burial will be in Lafay ette cemetery. Mrs. Shulaw died Tuesday morn ing at her home following an illness of six months. She was a lifelong resident of Jackson township. Besides her husband she is sur vived by four sons Closser and Ger ald of Lafayette and Archie and Murray, of Lima two daughters, Mrs. Clarice Brooks, Geneva, Pa., and Mrs. Evelyn Yokes, Meadville, Pa., 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Business Men's Assn. Will Elect Officers Annual election of officers will be held at a meeting of the Bluffton Business Men’s association in the Walnut Grill on Wednesday niprht of next week at 8 o’clock. prices dropped sharply almost over night, most other decreases are ex pected to be more of a gradual na ture. Staple items such as bread, sugar, panned goods, butter, eggs and the most popular cuts of meat have not undergone any appreciable reduction in prices, altho there appear to be national indications that a general price decline is in prospect and like ly will be apparent by early spring. Soap and soap powders are begin ning to appear in quantities on gro cers’ shelves, but prices have re mained steady because of the short age of waste fats. Dealers current ly are paying 10 cents a pound for waste fats, and turning the supply over to soap manufacturers. Waste fat price last month was six cents a pound. MENNONITE AID INSURANCE GROUP, SHOWS GROWTH Organization Has $4,455,275 In Risks in Force An In crease of $413,085 ’olicies Carried By Insurance Society Number 915 Offi cers Are Re-elected Insurance risks aggregating $4, 455, 275 are carried by the Mennonite Mutual Aid Society, a locally owned and operated insurance organization specializing in farm protection, it was reported Saturday afternoon at the annual meeting in the Bluffton High school building. Reports made at the session show that the mutual society has 915 poli cies in force in Allen, Putnam, Han cock and Hardin counties. This total includes 40 new members. Aggregate risks covered by the or ganization represent its largest coverage since the society was form ed on June 5, 1866. A gain of $413, 085 was shown over the figure on the books at the close of 1945. Total losses suffered by policy holders during 194-6 amounted to 6, 393.03 about half of which was caused by fire. Remaining damage resulted from windstorm and light ning. Losses during the last year were considerably less than in 1945 when they amounted to $8,125.39. Balance $12,491.49 The organization closed the year with a cash balance of $12,491.69, which represents a gain of $2,801.13 over the 1945 balance, according to a report made at the meeting. Officers were re-elected in organi zation of the board of directors, in cluding E. E. Bucher, president Llewellyn Geiger, vice-president Al bert Winkler, secretary Max J. Crawfis, assistant secretary, and Ray S. Hilty, treasurer. Appraisers for the society during the coming year will be the same as in 1946: Amos Tschiegg, Calvin Gar matter, Llewellyn Geiger and Max Crawfis. Deadline For Dog Tags Is Monday Attention of dog owners is called to the deadline next Monday, the last day on which licenses may be purchased without penalty. License sales have lagged and a heavy last minute rush will develop if the number purchased this year is to reach last year’s total. Licenses for both Allen and Han cock counties are obtainable at the Community market from Mrs. Zelma Tripplehorn, deputy. Cost is $1 for male and spayed female dogs and $3 for females. Those sending applications by mail should give a complete description of the dog. Bank Increases Annual Dividend Increase in the dividend rate from $4 to $5 per share on the common stock of the Citizens National Bank was announced at the annual stock holders meeting Tuesday night. All of the bank’s directors were re-elected for the coming year. They are: C. H, Smith, E. C. Romey, Ed win Amstutz, M. M. Bogart, H. P. Huber, C. F. Niswander and Adam Steiner. BLUFFTON A Good Place To Trade NUMBER 39 RICHLAND FARMERS MUTUAL INSURANCE BUSINESS GROWS Risks Aggregate $2,644,360 Total of 484 Policies Are In Force Mutual Insurance Organization Names Director, Treasurer And Appraiser Expansion of the insurance cover age of the Richland Township Farm ers Insurance Co. was announced Saturday at the annual meeting of the organization in the council room of the Bluffton town hall. Insurance risks aggregating $2, 644,360 are carried by the society in Allen, Putnam, Hardin and Hancock counties, with the principal emphasis on farm coverage. Coverage shows a gain of $264,865 over the amount specified in policies in force during the preceding year, altho the number of policy holders decreased slightly from 492 to 484. Losse.® during 1946 amounted to $3,491.16, representing $2,535 in fire damages $882.45 from windstorm damage and $73.71 in lightning dam age. Aggregate losses for 1945 fi rn ounted to $1,548.90. Moser Re-Elected The annual report showed a two mill levy during the past year to cover losses. This was the first as sessment in two years, directors of the organization announced, no levy having been made to cover operations in 1945. At Saturday’s meeting Ezra Moser was re-elected director Quentin Burkholder was re-elected treasurer Wayne Zimmerman was re-elected appraiser, and Guy Scoles was elected appraiser to succeed Charles Lora. In organization of the board of di rectors, Ezra Moser was named pres ident Alfred Mueller, vice-president and the board appointed Earl Matter secretary for 1947. Directors include Moser, Mueller and Walter Hochstet tler, the former two of whom are serving unexpired terms. Announce Wedding Of Holiday Season Mrs. Flarence LaChat, daughter of Mr. and Mrs .Edw. Krites of North Lawrence, Ohio, and Elmer Nusbaum, son of David Nusbaum, of near Bluffton, were married Sunday, Dec. 22, at the Reformed Mennonite church in Marshallville, Ohio. Rev. Will Rupp, of Archbold, re ceived the vows. Following the cere mony, a reception was held for the immediate families and relatives at the home of Rev. and Mrs. Ray Bear, of Marshallville, friends of the bride and groom. Mr. and Mrs. Nusbaum are re siding on the Nusbaum farm west of Bluffton. The groom is engaged in farming County Meeting Of Methodist Men Here Members of the Allen County 'Methodist Brotherhood will hold a idiQner riveting starting at 6:15 p. m. Wednesday of next week in the Bluffton Methodist church. Rev. Paul Graeser, pastor of the First Reformed church in Lima, will be the speaker. Approximately 200 men are expected here for the meet ing. Nelson Steiner, member of the Bluffton church, is secretary of the Brotherhood. The dinner will be served by the W. S. C. S Grismore Heads Twp. Trustees Allen Grismore was elected presi dent and Watson Steiner vice presi dent in the reorganization meeting of the Richland township board of trustees. Fred C. Badertscher is the third member of the board and N. W. Basinger, clerk. Bluffton Couple Fly To Hawaii Next Week Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Lane nf Grove street will leave next Monday for Los Angeles from where they will go by plane to Honolulu to visit their son Naval Lt. Commander Wade Lape and family at Barber’s Point near that city. They expect to be gone for six weeks. Real Estate Deal Mrs. Eva Kohli has purchased the Biome property on North Main street and will take possession April 1. The property is occupied by the Wm. Rurgly family.