Herald and Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 3

Illincis, Tuesday, February 1, 1955. DECATUR HERALD 3 N. Oakland Rezoning Is Recommended A St. Louis planning consultant yesterday advised granting of commercial rezoning in the 1300 Block North Oakland Avenue if improved parking lot controls in the entire area can be worked out. Russell Riley of Harland Bartholomew Associates said that regardless of what is done on the proposed rezoning, parking lot controls for the Colonial Restaurant and Tolly's supermarket should be redesigned.

Riley told members of the City Plan Commission and the City Council he is surprised there are not more accidents in the area, where access to parking lots is from Route 48 just north of Grand Avenue. Riley recommended against an rezoning for a package liquor store in the 1300 Block North Oakland but suggested the zoning ordinance be amended to allow package liquor outlets in commercial zones. He said taverns or cocktail lounges should continue to be limited to the heavier commercial district. But he said package sales seem no different to him than normal grocery or drug store operations permitted in zones. The Commission had sought Riley's advice on commercial development in the Grand-Oakland -Route 48 area after tabling the petition of Louis Cohn and others for a one-family to and commercial change for propbetween the 1300 Blocks erty North Oakland and North Ellen.

There were strong objections to the rezoning from nearby residents when the Commission conducted a public hearing on the petition last month. The property is just north of Tolly's market. Riley said the area seems logical for commercial development, since the nearest shopping center is at Main and Oakland. But he advised such developments should be well and in depth back from Oakland, rather than along Oakland frontage only. He said he would not look favorably on announced plans for a shopping center on Fairview avenue just north of the Wabash Railroad subway because of hazards created by fast movement of traffic in the subway area.

Riley suggested that the state would cooperate with the city in asking for limited entrances and exits for the Tolly and Colonial parking lots. The Colonial lot, it was pointed out, is especially confusing because the entire parking area has access to Route 48. Planners are expected to take some action on the matter during their regular session Thursday, asking that a plan for improved parking lot controls be worked out prior to any further rezoning in the area. Riley also suggested that if the rezoning is granted, North Ellen Street should be closed to any traffic from parking lots. In connection with the discussion, Mayor Robert E.

Willis suggested that Route 48 should be four lanes wide at the Grand Avenue intersection. Riley agreed with a recent recommendation of planners that commercial rezoning requests in the 2000 Block East William Street should be rejected pending developments from Route 36 improvements nearby. These requests involved existing business uses which are nonconforming because they were in operation before the zoning ordinance placed them in residential areas. 187 ALIENS REGISTER; DOWN FROM LAST YEAR The annual aliens registration period closed last night at midnight. Decatur Postoffice had received 187 registrations at the close of regular hours yesterday but the registration clerk expected several "stragglers" to bring in their cards before the midnight deadline.

There were 255 registration blanks out and last year 221 aliens registered here. McCoy Services Funeral services for Mrs. Myrtle May McCoy, 69, of Rural Route 6, who was found dead in her home Sunday afternoon, will be at 1:30 p. m. today in the J.

J. Moran Sons Funeral Home. Burial will be in Point Pleasant Cemetery near Long Creek. Coroner Harold Brintlinger held an inquest into the death last night. The jury ruled that Mrs.

McCoy died Saturday night of a heart attack. Postcard Sales Climb, 'Stinker' Sales Are Believed Responsible The Decatur Postoffice reports a boom in sales of stamped postcards. Maybe it is the popularity, of the Decatur Herald Review's "Little Stinker" puzzle contest or perhaps Decatur residents have discovered some other new use for the cards. Whatever the explanation, the sales have jumped by about 15,000 a week over figures for a year ago. Puzzle contestants are given a bonus of 10 per cent on their prize if their entries were mounted on a postcard.

Postmaster Richard E. Ellison reported yesterday that 000 stamped postcards have been sold during the past three months, approximately. the length of time the contest has been running in Decatur papers. By comparison, the total of cards sold during the corresponding three months a year ago was 360,000. Club Backing For Rangers To Be Asked Decatur service clubs will be asked to support formation of a "Ranger" organization to help: combat juvenile delinquency here, State's Attorney Kenneth Evans said yesterday.

Evans said he will ask club representatives to meet with him to discuss the plans within two weeks. State police officer Harry Curran, who formed the first Ranger organization in the state at Paris in Edgar County, will probably also attend, along with members of the Paris Rangers, Evans said. "Rangers" is the name generally given to the youth groups, though in some cases "Junior Sheriffs" is the term used. They are formed to promote moral and responsible conduct on the part of youths, as well as to bring them closer law enforcement authorities. Be-, sides the organization at Paris, Rangers have been formed in Christian and Richland Counties.

Evans said Curran was here yesterday to discuss the Macon County plan. He said Curran reported the organization was highly successful in Edgar County. The one there was formed in 1951. Evans said Curran reported juvenile offenses dropped off from a normal average of 200 to 250 a year to zero after the group was formed. There are 160 such groups throughout the U.S.

and Canada, Curran told Evans, though they are relatively new in Illinois. Evans said he will seek support of the service clubs in underwriting expenses of the venture. Original cost of the Edgar County organization, which has about 285 members, was about $2,000 for insignia and group activities, Evans said. The 285 members in Edgar County represent about 90 per cent of the age group from 9 to 14, which is eligible to join there, Evans said. After the meeting with the service club representatives, Evans said, leaders will be recruited so actual organization of the Macon County Rangers can begin.

Check Charges Dismissed Glenn R. Hudson, 25, of 205 Longview was released from county jail yesterday after two warrants charging him with defrauding by check were dismissed. Hudson was arrested Jan. 20 on complaint of R. L.

Meiers. On Jan. 22 the second charge, made by Robert Watson was filed against him. Plan Expert Discourages S. Main Lot Development of a parking lot at former Macon County Coal Co.

property in the 500 Block South Main Street would be "suicide," an official of Harland Bartholomew Associates told the City Council yesterday. The Council last week received a new proposal from Dr. I. V. Grissom, the property owner, for use of the area for parking.

Shoppers would use a bus to go to and from the business district. Russell Riley of Harland Bartholomew said residents of a city the size of Decatur are not adjusted to parking that far from a business district and using bus transportation. He said there would be quite a little cost in putting the property into shape, and that operation of buses would cost about 40 cents a mile. Riley, whose opinion was asked by the Council, said he would mit a written report. "But I'm sure in my own mind it would not work out economically." After an inspection of the site with City Engineer John M.

Weir, Riley said he and Weir agreed developinent of the area might cost $50,000 to $100,000. A loop bus system would involve a one-mile trip, he said, and expressed doubt that the city could operate a bus in competition with Decatur City Lines, Inc. An arrangement could possibly be worked out with the bus company, however. But Riley said that such parking lot arrangements have been successful only in large cities. One such system in St.

Louis, which includes a 10-cent bus fare, just barely makes out, primarily because it serves a large parking garage and Union Station. Another disadvantage of the location is that it is south of most of the residential areas of the city and would do little to relieve downtown traffic congestion, Riley said. The nature of parkers is such that they would expect a bus to be waiting at any time they park their cars, he added. The city is currently planning to develop two parking lots at the east edge of the business district through revenue bonds. Harland Bartholomew is making a parking survey in connection with the program.

All Gas Tax Not Earmarked The city will have a about 000 in motor fuel taxes above the cost of the 1955 construction and maintenance program, City Engineer John M. Weir reported to the City Council yesterday. Weir estimated the city's income from motor fuel taxes at $558,000 and expenditures, including construction, arterial street and traffic light maintenance, at $411,000. In addition to an allotment of about $328,500 in gas tax revenue, the city should receive as the state's contribution toward? Eldorado Street work. There is a $90,000 balance in the account.

The estimated cost of the 1955 construction program is $361,000, of which $248,000 has been appropriated. Maintenance of arterial streets is estimated at $35,000 and of traffic signals at $15,000. Sertoma Club Al Unser, owner manager of the Decatur Commies baseball team, will discuss the Decatur baseball program at the Sertoma Club meeting at noon tomorrow in the YMCA. Ill. Power Measuring System Said to Be Most Advanced in Industry Gas Telemeter Gives Instant Source Readings By Wayne W.

Krows Of The Herald Staff Illinois Power Co. is installing what is believed to be the' most advanced metering system in the gas industry. When installation is completed, technicians here will know just how much natural gas is being used at any time at the company's various metering points throughout the state. The information will travel to the central station in Decatur with the speed of light, via a microwave hookup. Allen Van Wyck, president of Illinois Power, said it is important that the information be available almost immediately because of limited gas supplies.

Heavy penalties must be paid whenever the company uses more gas than is provided i in its contracts with natural gas suppliers. The central metering board of the new gas "telemeter" system is being installed in the company's sub-station at 2701 N. Broadway. About 70 per cent of the system already is in service, according to R. D.

Hays, gas engineer, but the completion date is still in doubt. On the telemeter board are recording charts and counters for each of 15 metering points in areas served by Illinois Power. The charts give a continuous report on the amount of gas going through 1 the meters at points where the company buys gas from pipeline companies. The counters total the number of cubic feet of gas used at these points. Four natural gas suppliers are involved in the telemeter system.

They are Panhandle Eastern Pipe-1 line Mississippi River Fuel Natural Gas Pipeline Co. and Texas-Illinois Pipeline Co. In cases where one supplier serves several metering points, all of these points eventually will be hooked into a special instrument on the telemeter board. The instrument will provide a total on all gas being obtained from one company. Hays said the most distant metering point in the telemeter This is the central point in the Illinois Power Co's new gas "telemeter" system.

Checking system is at Belleville, about 125 miles away. The nearest point is in Decatur. The flow of gas at the metering points is measured by pressure. The pressure creates mechanical energy and this is converted to electric energy. The electric energy is transmitted to the Decatur station and Meter 'Feeders' Contribute to Lack Of Parking Space, Survey Finds One of the first findings from the new parking survey of Harland Bartholomew Associates underlines one reason why shoppers find little downtown parking space.

The firm's Russell Riley told the City Council yesterday the survey has found that in one downtown block of North Water Street, 80 per cent of the cars are parked for at least six hours. While ordinance requires moving cars after the expiration of a one or two hour parking STREET LIGHTS OKAYED Opposition On Broadway, Indiana Ct. Proposals There was no opposition yesterday in two City Council hearings on proposals for street lights on North Broadway and on Indiana Court. Plans for North Broadway lights from Kenwood to Van Buren Avenue, and on a twoblock segment of North Morgan Street in the same area, were approved with revisions which reduced the proposed number of lights. The petition for lights on Indiana Court was referred to City Engineer John M.

Weir and Commissioner Homer L. Chastain for investigation and report. While no one appeared at the hearing, there were petitions from both proponents and objectors. Lucille Overstake First Wrote Song as 'Let Me Go, Devil' Let Me Go; Lover of Decatur Origin A change of names can't change the sweet smell of a rose but apparently it can mean the difference between a hit and a miss in popular misuc. That wailing song hit, "Let Me Go, was originally written by a Decatur woman under the title of "Let Me Go, Recorded by the composer, Miss Lucille Overstake, a Decatur entertainer of the 1930s, it did a quiet flop.

The story of the song's revival with new lyrics and a new romantic vocalist is told in the Feburary issue of Town Journal. The song, in its original version, described the evils of drink. Mitch Miller and the Studio One program discovered Miss Overstake's song and had the lyrics 6 Companies To Get $7,292 In Tax Refunds Tax refunds totalling $7,292.52 were ordered made by County Treasurer John Alsup yesterday to five railroads and one pipeline company. The refunds were ordered on the basis of objections entered to 1953 taxes. The taxes, payable i in 1954, were paid by the railroads and pipeline company under protest: Hearings on the protests had been held earlier and the refunds ordered yesterday by County Judge Gus T.

Greanias. In all, the six objectors protested to a total of $17,811.35 in taxes. The Wabash Railroad filed the largest objection, $7,050.49. Under Judge Greanias' order of yesterday, the Wabash complaint was allowed to the extent of $2,540.32, which was also the largest rebate ordered. From the percentage standpoint, the Illinois Central Railroad was the most successful objector.

It protested taxes totalling $3,066.56 and won an order for a refund of $2,008.54. Other objectors, the amounts protested and their refunds, are: Illinois Terminal Railroad, 663.42 protested, refund of 234.86 plus an amount to be figured by the county treasurer from ITRR's payment to the City Public Hospital fund. Baltimore Ohio Railroad, 116.09 protested, refund of $365.03. Panhandle Eastern Pipeline $1,082.85 protested, refund of $315.75 Pennsylvania Railroad, 830.94 protested, refund of $828.02. Judge Greanias said objections to the taxes were made and refunds ordered on the basis of technical legal grounds.

the instruments on the large panel are R. D. Hays, kneeling, gas engineer, and Richard A. changed back to mechanical energy which operates the recording charts and counters. Technicians working at the telemeter board here will take the necessary action to cut down gas usage whenever there i is a danger of exceeding gas limits.

A man will be on duty at the Central station at all times after Bus Strike Date Is Set Feb. 14 has been set as the date for a strike by Decatur City Lines bus drivers if a new contract is not agreed on, Elmer Walker, union president, said last night. Walker said the old contract expired Dec. 31 and three meetings of union negotiators with company officials have failed to bring agreement on new terms. The union seeks across-theboard wage increases of 25 cents an hour, Walker said, plus fringe benefits including toilet facilities in the Transfer House.

Walker said the company has offered only a 6-month renewal of the present contract. M. R. Biddle, City Lines manager, verified that this constituted the company's offer to date. The union has heretofore had one-year contracts with the company, Walker said.

Another negotiation meeting is scheduled for Thursday. The drivers threatened a strike several months ago over the question of toilet facilities in the Transfer House, but finally agreed to continue work without them. MRS. LINDA DUNN, 19, HURT IN COLLISION Mrs. Linda Dunn, 19, of 1440 N.

29th was injured about 3:25 p. m. yesterday when her car collided with another at 29th and Division Streets. Mrs. Dunn was taken to Decatur and Macon County Hospital, where she was reported in good condition last night.

She received chest and stomach injuries which were thought not to be serious. The driver of the other car, W. R. Smith, 58, of 1761 N. 31st was not injured.

Charges Dismissed Paul Maddox, 41, of N. Broadway, was released from county jail yesterday after warrants charging him with threats and disorderly conduct were dismissed and costs of $26.40 paid. The charges were made by Mrs. Maddox and Charles E. Highley.

Cooke Inquest A coroner's jury last night returned a verdict of suicide in an inquest into the death of Ralph Eugene Cook, 23, of 1920 N. 29th St. The jury ruled that Cooke died Sunday of poisoning caused by drinking an anti-freeze I solution. Corson, gas supply supervisor. (Herald and Review Photo) the telemeter system is completed.

Formerly, Hays said, meters were read at each of the metering points and the information "was history" by the time it reached Decatur. Under the new system, the information from the most distant point will be received here in a fraction of a second, he said. ELECTION OFFICIALS TO ROCK ISLAND TODAY The County Board's elections and jurors committee and three county officials will go to Rock Island today to study the use of voting machines. Chairman Webber Borchers said Rock Island was selected for the study because the population and political situation there is much like Macon County's. The County Board in December directed the committee to investigate the possible use of voting machines here.

Borchers said costs and operation of machines will be discussed with Rock Island County officials. County Judge Gus T. Greanias and County Clerk Laurence Tangney, both members of the county elections commission, County Auditor Henry M. Novak and the other two members of the committee, Supervisor Don F. Muirheid and Ass't Supervisor Charles Livingston, will make the trip.

Warnick Heads Milk Group Robert F. Warnick of near Warrensburg has beenelected president of the Decatur Milk Association for 1955. Warnick, 41, operates a 160- acre dairy farm two miles west of Warrensburg. He is serving his sixth year on the DMA board. Warnick succeeds U.

J. Austin, Moweaqua. Paul Sckowska, Blue Mound, was named vice president, succeeding William Seitz, Sullivan. O. E.

Jacobs, Decatur, was elected secretary, succeeding Warnick. The new treasurer is Verne Fulk, Moweaqua, succeeding Roy Stoutenborough, Maroa. Full: was elected a new director at the DMA's annual meeting last week. Other board members are: H. P.

Bicknell, Lovington William Seitz, Sullivan John M. Phillips, Oreana (a new director). Driving Fines Paid Eldon R. Giberson, 34, of 1556 N. Taylor was released from county jail yesterday after paying fines totalling $91.40 on charges of driving on the wrong side of the street in the 1200 block North Main Street and operating a car without a driver's license.

Giberson was arrested Jan. 128. CHASTAIN-FRANCIS MOVES TO 155 W. MAIN limit, it is. the practice of many downtown workers to find a space early and "feed" the parking meter the rest of the dav.

Riley has advised the city that space should be made available elsewhere for all-day parkers, time restrictions on downtown meters possibly shortened and enforced. His firm's survey is in connection with Council plans for two new downtown parking lots. Riley said he hopes preliminary findings can be ready in early or mid-March. Meisenhelter Won't Appeal No appeal will for Harry Meisenhelter, Decatur union official convicted last month of extortion. Wilbur A.

Sale of St. Louis, one of Meisenhelter's attorneys, said last night in St. Louis that no appeal is planned. Yesterday was the final day of the 10-day period allowed for an appeal. Sale said he thought in some rare instances appeals had been made after the 10-day limit, generally on the basis of new evidence, but that they are seldom allowed.

And none is planned in Meisenhelter's case, he said. Meisenhelter was sentenced to five years in prison and fined $10,000 by U.S. Judge Charles G. Briggle in Springfield District Court Jan. 21.

He had been convicted a week earlier of extorting $3,300 from a pipeline contractor. Since his conviction he has been held in the federal section of the Springfield city jail. With expiration of the 10-day appeal period he will now be transferred to a federal penitentiary. Youth Fined Michael McMahon, 17, of 1911 N. Graceland paid a fine of $15.40 last night on disorderly conduct charges.

Officers said he cursed two police officers riding in a squad car on Lincoln Square, then ran into an alley in the 100 block East Prairie Avenue where he was apprehended. Niantic GOP Caucus Niantic Township Republicans will caucus at 2 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Bruce Implement store to nominate candidates for highway comI missioner and cemetery trustee. I The engineering firm of Chastain Francis Associates moved yesterday to 155 W.

Main Street, where additional space and better facilities will permit continued expansion. The firm and its predecessor, Chastain-Burgener Associates, has been located at N. Park St. since 1946. The new office is above the Schudel Laundry and was previously occupied by Tabor Grain Feed Co.

Partners in the firm are E. H. (Buck) Chastain and William M. Francis, who took over from Commissioner Homer L. Chastain and Harry J.

Burgener last year. Chastain said the new quarters will permit expansion of personnel. There are five offices, a conference room, a large drafting room and a large supply room in the new space. Minor remodeling is under way. CONDIT MADE ELIGIBLE FOR GAS TAX BENEFITS The City Council adopted resolution yesterday including East Condit Street from Jasper to 22nd Street in the arterial street system, making it eligible for improvements with motor fuel tax funds.

Under Council consideration is the resurfacing of Condit from Jasper to Woodford in anticipation of heavier use during construction of Grand and Garfield grade separations. The resolution is subject to approval by the state Highway Division. TRIAL IN AUTO INJURY SUITS UNDER WAY Trial of two auto injury suits and three counterclaims in which damages of $80,000 are asked started in Macon County Circuit Court yesterday and will continue at 9:30 a.m. today. Mr.

and Mrs. Paul Engstrom of Chicago and Eldon Perkins of Decatur are defendants in both actions. The plaintiffs are Clyde Shreve of Mit. Pulaski and Delbert H. Rhoades of Detroit, Mich.

The suits grew out of a traffic accident Sept. 13, 1952, on Route 51, two miles south of Decatur. rewritten to fit the Miller formula of "Make it simple, 1 make it sexy, make it according to the magazine article. The Town Journal describes the Decatur composer as: "Jenny Lou Carson, a one-time Salvation Army worker and an old hand at singing hymns on 'Skid Row' in Decatur." Jack Carson, WSOY announcer and western: music entertainer, said last night that Miss Overstake took the Carson name when the trio of three Overstake sisters broke up. He said he has her original recording but does not know where she lives now.

The Overstake girls, former Decatur residents, sang on Decatur's radio station WJBL and on the Tuscola WDZ station in the early 1930s. They later were regular performers on the WLS National Barn Dance program. Lucille played a guitar and her sisters, Eva and Evelyn harmonized with her on the vocals. In Chicago they were billed as the "Three Little Eva Overstake later married Red Foley and appeared with him. The reference to the Salvation Army and Decatur's alleged "Skid Row" could not be confirmed here last night.

The Salvation Army had no record of the connection with their work. Meanwhile parents of teenagers who are playing the torchy lament several times a day and imitating the tearful recorded version may easily be driven to drink before the popularity of the hit wanes. Federal Employes Speaker N. T. Wolkomir, state vice president of the National Federation of Federal Employes, will speak Thursday at a meeting of the local chapter 1105.

The meeting will be at 8 p.m. in the YMCA. Wolkomir is a federal employe at Chanute Field. Car Cushions Stolen C. L.

Girard, 1490 N. Union told police yesterday that two cushions were stolen from his car while it was parked in the 200 block Mill Street Saturday night..