Muncie Post-Democrat, Muncie, Delaware County, 7 July 1939 — Page 1

THE POST-DEMOCRAT

VOLUME 20—NUMBER 6.

MUNCIE, INDIANA, FRIDAY, JULY 7, 1939.

PRICE: FIVE CENTS

Additional Costs Likely

For Local Sewage Project Approximate Costs to Local Taxpayers Investigation is

Now Appear To Be One Million Dollars Which Is One-Third Higher Than If Sewage Treatment Works Was Built In 1934; Selfish Politics Blamed for Not Having Sewage Problem Already Solved Without the Useless Expenditure of Many Thou-

sands.

By Charles Michelson

The Liberty League, which financed the Republican propaganda in the ’36 campaign, has been quiescent for a long time but it is still in existence, and though it does not appear to be issuing any pamphlets in its own name, it soul (and

pocketbooks) are still marching on.

The Republican National Committee, which was one of j the Liberty League’s aliases three years ago, recently filed its report of receipts and expenditures with the Clerk of the ! House of Representatives. According to that report, it received $188,611.00 and expended $111,721.00, for the first three months of 1939. Amonk the contributions listed were

in which employ- rthree Rockefellers, two Mellons, two Weirs, Alfred P. Sloan,

Jr., a duPoint or two, and various others of the famous sixty families. In all, thirteen of these eminent people contributed $4,000 apiece. While I would not intimate that this was in the nature of an assessment, the thought comes up thatwhen abattleshipis to be built or a large order of supplies is offered

Being Made of Wage Deduction

Several cases

ers are alleged to have deducted unemployment compensation contributions from the wages paid their employees are being investigated by the state division, E. E.

Park Budget For 1940 Proposes 18% Increase

Gross Income Tax Is Due July 15 Indianapolis, July '7. — State gross income tax collections during the second quarter of 1939 (April, May and June) were approximately $265,000 greater than the collections during the same period last year, Clarence A. Jackson. director of the Gross Income

It has been announced by city officials that it isj cept ie any de^cUon r f?om e the re-Scan cause may have arrived at the amount expected of them I from April i this year to date toii ,i , *-i i i ■ 1 ±---- ’— • - • in .i - - rjT A •— j j — T4- ~~~ I tailed $4,052,229.92 and in the

income tax payments

probable that $75,000 more money will be needed to | of complete the construction costs of the sewage dis- mYin ™ posal plant now being byilt along White river west of the Tillotson avenue bridge. The increase in costs is explained since the new federal set-up on WPA expenditures will not permit the employment of skilled labor and the plant construction requires such kind of labor for the most part. Heretofore, skilled laborers on the project have been paid $70 for a 130-hour month and the city has been paying the difference. Now, it appears as though the city must bear all the expenses of skilled labor which will require additional

costs to local taxpayers. A part of the increased park |

budget for next yeas- is explained by payments due on pronerty purchased during the past two years. It is advised that a balance of $3,000 remains unpaid for the purchase of property known at Thomas park and that a $3,600 balance is left due on the purchase of additional grounds at Tuhey park. Other burget items that were increased for next year by the park board include the repairs to buildings and equipment, insurance premiums, mowing, instruction services, general supplies, and a $2,500 appropriation to match with WPA expenditures for the construction of curbs, more bleacher

seats at the baseball diamond, and the rumple Lion of the fire, station $35,00 ( h The . ——r-*- - — ' TTT. - /V/^TVlNf-r-r*-

btiilding atarted a year ago in the north side of McCulloch park. The park system of Muncie was rejuvenated beginning in 1930 during the first year of the Dale administration. The baseball grandstand was erected and the weekly sport was started then which has continued each year since. The monkey island was built two years later and the project was stocked with a group of the animals which caused a lot of entertainment to the visiting crowds. New concession stands were constructed, flower and rock gardens were built which greatly beautified the parks, log cabins were erected at Heekin park for the convenience of picnicers add those who desired to have parties in the parks. Free motion pictures were displayed every week during the summer and great crowds were afforded outdoor entertainment which had never been produced

during prior years.

Tuhey pack became a realization in 1933 when a former dumping grounds was converted into a recreation field and a municipal swimming pool was built. Some additional improvements have been made in the parks since then

employ to I !° r the , first q . ua ^ er ofye * r independently. « was Per- ^ r of last conDdbution^miuired^froi^hirn, 6 or hapS ° nly a coincldei L ce that some °/ them dld not give $5,000 ! 58; > 23 ■> Mr j ackson saidi .< in(li .

and the crowds brought to the

parks through such a program of j Henry, said.

required or accepted any waiver hy any individual in his employ of any

right” under the law.

The maximum penalty for violating this section of the law is a fine of $500 and six months in jail. Mr.

Henry, said.

In the cases reported, it has been alleged that the employer either directly or indirectly deducted 2.7 per cent of the employee’s earnings, which is the amount of the employer’s contribution. Investigations are now being conducted to determine whether action can be

taken by the state board.

Contributions from employees were required only during the \ first three months of 1937, Mr.

entertainment have continued to enjoy such entertainment ever since. Prior to the'Dale administration the parks were so many acres of timber land visited only by a few pdbple who would seek shade trees under which to hold a family reunion or an outdoor picnic. The new programs brought thousands of persons including visitors from surrounding counties to the

city parks every week.

It is a matter of record that the costs to the tavpayers of Muncie for annual park expenses would amount to between $30,000 and

same programs are

originated and held then on approximately two-thirds the amount of money as required now. It is believed that no one would have any part of the park entertainment abandoned but it would seem possible that such programs could be conducted without ever increasing costs since it has been done

in the past.

The salary and wage expenditures in the local parks have been increased from three to five thousand dollars each year since 1934 although the park system has not been greatly enlarged. Operation of the swimming pool has caused a necessary increase in park payrolls but receipts from the pool should nearly provide for all operating costs each summer. A caretaker at the pool \Vould be worth much to the public. During the past week a small boy received a bad cut in his foot from a broken bottle left scattered around the tables on the concession and lounging porch. It is reported that

CLAIM SOCIAL SECURITY TO BE PERMANENT

Efforts To Repeal Bill Loses Out When Vote Is Taken

■ ij-j. --.-•Sifct.-

Three years ago the social security program of the New Deal was denounced by every Republican orator and speaker as a fraud upon the people, a scheme to steal the people’s money, a plan to regiment workers and a device borrowed from Russia to replace democracy with communism. Last week,‘when needed amendments were offered in the Senate, the astonishing result was thai there were but two votes against the proposal and 361 in its favor. Not a Republican dared to suggest that the bill be repealed in its entirety and the program abandoned. The amendments merely clarified the law, but did in nd way touch

its basic principles.

The amendments, which brijig 1,100,000 more persons under the social security set-up, can only mean that the program itself has met with approval. Old age benefits have been advanced to 1940 insteal of 1942, as the original bill , provided, which indicates that the

the broken bottle had been allowed j nation demands benefits now, not

to lay in such a dangerous place at least all of that day when it should have been cleaned up at once. Also, it would seem practical for some

(Continued on Page Four)

CELEBRATION IS SUCCESSUL Another glorious Fourth of July celebration in Muncie has been conducted and sponsored by the city administration. Last Tuesday, a varye large number of people from this city as well as from surrounding communities joined together at McCulloch park to enjoy the activities planned for the celebration of Independence Day. Those in charge of the programs are to be congratulated and commented since the entire day can be listed as a successful event. A financial report submitted by City Controller John Lewis shows that a total of $1,402.38 was expended to entertain the vast crowd of attendants and that all expenditures were met from total contributed receipts amounting to $1,421. As usual a larger crowd of spectators were present at the park at night during the fiueworks display which began jyomptly at ten o’clock daylight saving time. The display was beautiful and easily up to standard with former year performances. Costs for the fireworks amounted to $690.26. Besides a full day’s good entertainment provided for the attendants, it is commendable that no serious injuries happened and that every precaution was made to avoid any mark against the day’s festivities. The annual Fourth of July celebration in McCulloch park has become an expected event since its beginning in 1930. No doubt with the success as shown last Tuesday another year will bring about the continuance of an equalled program which has become quite an advertisement for Muncie. Mayor Wilson and his assistants are due ample credit for their sponsorship of the successful celebration and it is doubtful if any complaints could be registered if they should buy themselves a good cigar from the small balance of funds left after meeting the expenses of the day.

years hence. The tax system has been revised so that present payments of 1 per cent from both employes and employers will be retained instead of being increased next year. Unemployment insurance rates are reduced from 2.7 per cent to 2 per cent. The significant thing is that Republicans united with Democrats In making these amendments, and no voice was raised in protest against the program or the plan. What becomes of the Republican cry that it put laborers in dog collars and gave them numbers instead of names? Where is that charge that it was socialistic or communistic and would take away the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence? You heard these charges in 1936 when Landon denounced the plan and tried to convince the people that Roosevelt intended to wreck all business and take away from workers their initiative and independence. But today those voices are silenced by experience, an experience that has proved the worth of this humane and practical policy of government to provide workers with funds enough to guide them through days of unemployment and give to those who have helped build America the right to spend their declining years in sharing the things they helped to build. This experiment, and it is still an experiment, has proven its

worth, mit it.

The Tory Republicans ad-

GOOD

To balance

THOUGHTS Fortune by a just

expense,

Join with Economy, Magnifi-

cence.

—Alexander Pope

conditions.

All those owing more than $10 in tax on income received during April. May. and June must file returns before July 15. All taxpayers arfe granted a $250 exemption per quarter. Qualified retail merchants, however, are entitled to an exemption of $750 per quarter upon receipts from selling at retail as defined in the amended Gross Income Tax Act. This exemption is not in addition to the regular

exemption.

Information, return forms, and assistance in filing them is available at all auto license branches throughout the state or at the Division’s headquarters’at* 141 South Meridian Street, Indianapolis. TURNINGMONEY LOOSE TO HELP ALL BUSINESS

Government To Guarantee Up To 90 Per

Cent of Loans

and others $3,000. The only $5,000 contribution listed conies j eating the continuation of the upfrom the “Massachusetts Republican Finance Committee,” j ward trend in Indiana business

with no detail as to who gave it tp the Bay State organization. There were, in addition to these, various thousand dollar, two thousand dollar and twenty-five hundred dollar contributions.

It’s Different With Us.

Approximately the same total was collected ana spent by the Democratic National Committee. This money came in the form of payments on the Jackson Day Dinners and other affairs of the sort and I do not think that in the whole long list there was a contribution of; more than one hundred dollars. Much of it was made up of $25 and $10 donations. The contrast pretty well exemplifies the difference in the makeup of the minority and the majority political parties. Needless to sav, I am in some degree envious of the size of these wads dumped on the Republican doorstep, or perhaps dredged up by the G.O.P. machine. But on the other hand, these lavish contributors know what they are trying to buy and perhaps feel that they have a chance to get the worth of their money. Fortunately or unfortunately, the Democratic party hasn’t anything for sale, and therefore has not the advantage of such generous customers. It may be recalled that in the 1936 campaign the Republicans gathered $7,693,855 that they reported, and spent considerable in excess of that amount, $8,065,524, a differencefof $371,669. And all that money brought the Republicans only Maine and Vermont. So this year’s calculation may not be a very good investment. At least, it could hardly be classified as such a good risk as the banks are demanding when ja| business man applies for a MP*Thc report 0 f the I^ubllJfc^a&enal CoHMMUteo does, not include such expenses as are involved in Editor Gannett s “National Committee to Uphold Constitutional Government, which has been filling the mails with assaults on the Roosevelt administration, nor a variety^ of distributors of the “whispering campaign” material which runs the gamut ironi implications that the President has lost his mind, to that he has embezzled money contributed for the National r oundation for Infantile Paralysis. Mr. Gannett says his “nonpartisan” output is paid for by voluntary contributions. I he clerk of the House of Representatives states that he has no report of the expenditures and receipts of the Uphold the Constitution organization. As to the irresponsibles who issue and circulate the filth and scandal—nobody will admit any connection with them, but somebody is paying the bills, and gauging the pfice by the volume of propaganda, those

bills aggregate a lot of money. .

What Are They Buying?

Of course, rich people have a perfect right to give whatever they want to give to a political organization either through a make-believe Liberty League or directly, but the question must always arise as to what they expect tor their money. There is a progressive as well as a conservative wing to the Republican party, and the G.O.P. chairman, who vocally, at least, represents their national organization, hasn t ever let it be known what his party stands for. They have had for some years now a numerous committee, which under the direction of Dr. Glenn Frank, is working on a platform— and no plank of that platform has yet been forthcoming. They clamor about the extravagance of the Roosevelt administration and their Senators and Representatives boost the budget suggested by the President half a billion dollars at a clip. They demand economy, and never yet have answered the question where do you propose to do the cutting. They call the New Deal policies hare-brained and visionary, but never have they ventured to tell which of the laws enacted in furtherance of those policies they would repeal. So any way you take it, the plethoric contributors to me G.O.P. treasure chest are buying a pig in a poke I hey do not know what they would get if they won the 1940 election. They do not know whether it will be the heavy reactionism ot Herbert Hoover, or the sometimes one thing sometimes another of Senator Vandenberg, the vagueness of Senator i att, or the prosecuting zest of District Attorney Dewey whose qualifications appear to be that he convicted a minor politician of racketeering-and whose own state refused to elect him Governor when he ventured into the broader—if still limited field—of state administration. , , J _ Probably they are playing a hunch—not a bad one pei haps —that whatever the Republican platform turns out to be; and whatever is. the economic complexion of a Republican I resident they may look for the privileges and perquisites that were theirs in the Harding-Coolidge-Hoover days. And those would be worth buying.

DECATUR “COWBOYS” BACK Decatur, Ind., July 7. — Two would-be cowboys, Robert Wayne Johnson, 18, and William Taylor Johnson, 13, were back home today ending a projected trip to the wide open spaces “to become cowboys.” The youths were detained yesterday in Huntington ai*d returned to their homes here. Authorities said they were equipped with one cowboy hat, two toy pistols and a road map of the Southwest.

BURGLARS PAUSE TO EAT

Shediac, N. B.—Burglars here are an industrious lot—but they still believe in taking time out from their labors for lunch. The store of Dr. E. M. Smith was broken into and tobacco valued at $20 was stolen. Before leaving the burglars had a snack of crackers and cheese, and washed it down with milk.

Many eye diseases are communicable.

The banks are choking with idle money, which in turn means idle men. The problem of turning this money loose is One for which the New Deal has a remedy, a simple one. It will be lent to railways which want equipment, to citizens who wish new homes, to farmers who are seeking more electrical power for their radios, their food grinders, their washing machines. It is estimated that there are about 20 billions of such dollars that are today idle in banks. The banks demand some confidence. So the government proposes to give them confidence by guaranteeing up to 90 per cent of the loans. In other words, the owners of all the moi^ey will lend that money, and receive the safety that must come from a sound and stable government. Here is no get-rich-quick scheme, no dream of Utopia, no panacea, but a sound and sure way of starting the wheels of industry turning and sending men back to

work.

The plan is essentially a New Deal plan. In lending money to the great and essential industries, such as railroads, which need new equipment, the money will be spent for equipment. That means that the manufacturers of this equipment must put their men back to work. The title to the equipment will be held by a government corporation until it earns its own cost and is repaid. , In lending to prospective small home owners, and it is now proposed to permit those with incomes of between $1,250 and $2,000 a chance to build homes, the borrower will be compelled to furnish only 10 per cent of the cost. Then the banks, which are seeking some place to.put their money, will lend the balance upon the government’s guarantee. That means that more carpenters and bricklayers and lumbermen and cement makers will find employment. The idle men and idle dollars will be brought together. Both will be employed. It is no Hoover plan of lending money to the rich, hoping that it would trickle down to the poor. It does not propose to hand a Dawes 90 millions to retrieve his losses in the Insull debacle. but it merely provides credit for the American system. Republicans, of course, will find fault. They always do. particularly when those who run the party get no rake off. The government offers nothing but its name and its blessing. As long as there is a United States the investments are safe and the government will never be called upon for a dollar. There is no investment by the government. It is simply another chance, perhaps the last chance, to turn loose idle dollars to give work to idle men.

First Estimate To Be Submitted Sets Bad Example for More to Come If Taxes Are To Be Lowered in Muncie; Park System Began Rejuvenation in 1930 But Costs Amounted to About Two-Thirds of Present expenditures; Taxing Units Faced with Fixing Levies By September. The first budget estimate for 1940 submitted by the city administration is presented by the park board and provides for an increase of expenditures over the present year amounting to $8,501. The park board met Wednesday night and approved the proposed budget for next year which will be presented to the common council for legislative authorization by the regular September meeting. The total proposed expenditures for the city parks next year amount to $54,000.35 while the current budget allows for the spending of $46,499.

Last year the city of Muncie sold $724,000 in revenue bonds with which to meet the city costs of completing the sewage disposal system which has been under construction during the past two years or more. The intercepting sewer was built with WPA labor and the city furnishing materials. The city raised $180,000 through the sale of general obligation bonds with which to purchase materials for the intercepting sewer. Together with the amount of revenue bonds already sold by the city, there is to date a total of $904,000 for direct costs to local taxpayers for

the sewage system.

With a probability that $75,000 more will be needed to be raised in order to complete the project, the total costs to local taxpayers will amount to nearly one million dollars. Under the same plans and specifications as drawn by the same engineer, the local sewage disposal system could hkve been

built five years ago

cost to Muncie taxpayers not exceeding $742,000. At that time, an application for federal PWA funds was aprpoved and the sum of $1,060,000 was allocated with which to construct the completed pro-

ject.

The application which was approved provided that thirty per cent of the total costs would be an outright grant by the federal government and the balance of 70 per cent would be financed through the sale of revenue bonds. Besides being built at a savings of nearly one-quarter of a million dollars to local taxpayers, the sewage treatment works could have been in operation today inday instead of in the process of construction. The former proposal was turned down after a year’s watiting for local council action. The council failed to act because they were believed influenced by a prospective candidate for mayor, Dr. Rollin Bunch, who desired the project to be built under his ad-

ministration rather than permit any credit to the former Dale ad-

ministration.

Two years passed during the Bunch regime and finally WPA funds were allocated with which to start thJ sewer construction and the city furnishing all materials. 'Later, the same source was prevailed upon to furnish labor for building a dispofeal plant and such plant is now under construction. The city is authorized by council action to sell revenue bonds up to two per cent of the total assessed valuation which would amount to approximately $880,000. The former administration practically exhausted the general bonded indebtedness credit of the city and authorized the limit of credit to be used with

revenue bonds.

Selfish politics in Muncie has cost the local taxpayers nearly

at a fotaT one-quarter of a million dollars on

one project, the sewage disposal treatment works. This amount of money would almost pay for the costs of civil city government, if economically operated, for an entire year. Furthermore, the sewage problem of Muncie would now be solved and payments on the project could have already been been made instead of an interest debt continuing to pile lip on bonds already sold without the sewage system being in operation and of no value to date to the pub-

lic.

o—*

The Cures at Lourdes Do You Know Why You Punish Your Child? Two of the Many Interesting Features in The American Weekly, the Magazine Distributed With the SUNDAY CHICAGO HERALD AND EXAMINER.

Cottonwood trees have been known to shoot up to 100 feet in height in 15 years.

TIN CANS ON WHEELS It has been recently reported that a local bus operator sent representatives to Cincinnati to buy new equipment. The bus has been received and like most all the other means of public conveyance on bus routes in Muncie, it is as impressive as a tin can on wheels. It has been commented that the patrons of bus service in this city are expected to be satisfied with riding on discarded equipment from some other municipality. It is true that some new buses have been purchased by local bus operators but as a whole the most of the equipment now being used is little asset to the transportation facilities of a city the size of Muncie. There are five separate bus operators in this city which of course requires the profitable operations of five separate business enterprises. It may not be possible for all companies to extend good service with commendable equipment from the division of gross receipts by bus riding patrons. This may be the reason for Muncie not being able to have adequate and better bus transportation. If so, then it would seem advisable to merge the five separate businesses into one so that the enterprise might be profitable enough to warrant the operation of reputable equipment. The centralization of bus service and routes has been a problem discussed and proposed on numerous occasions during past years. It was at one time suggested that a central bus station be located in the business section of the city and the transportation lines taken over by the city or purchased and operated by one company. Neither 6ne of the present franchise holders in the city is willing to part with their present business but at the same time they do not seem to be able to make sufficient profit with which to provide respectable equipment. Regardless of public opinion, the situation gets no better and it appears that the citizens of the typical American city must continue riding on busses either worn out from local service or some that have been traded in by transportation lines of other cities.

J

3 55