Banner Graphic, Greencastle, Putnam County, 3 December 1973 — Page 1

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Weather Increasing cloudiness, windy and warm today, highs in the low to upper 60s. Moatly cloudy tonight with a chance of rainshowera, lows in the mid 30s to low 40s. Cooler tomorrow with a chance of rain, highs in the mid 40s to mid 50s. Chance of rain: 40 per cent tonight.

the archives * -HIVEHJITT GHESNCASTLE, IN 4M35

It Waves

For All

'Banner GroonccwtU, Indiana, Monday, Docambar 3,1973

Graphic

EVENING EDITION

Big Raccoon Hearing Slated For W ednesday

Volume Four Number 281

Ten Cents A Copy

The committee to dissolve the Big Raccoon Creek Conservancy District will once again appear before Judge Hamilton in Circuit Court Wednesday morning. The hearing will consist of oral arguments resulting from a motion by the committee that the Court correct alleged errors in the September 18 decision that did not dissolve the District. At that time Judge Hamilton offered these reasons for his decision. (1) Construction costs have increased since 1969, but not sufficiently to cause the District Plan to be no longer economically feasible. (2> Land rights costs have risen since 1969, but not sufficiently to cause the District Plan to be no longer economically feasible. (3> No work has been done in the watershed that would reduce the flood reduction benefits as estimated in 1969. The benefits from the project should, therefore, at least equal or possibly exceed the 1969 estimates. (4) According to the State Recreation Plan, additional recreational facilities are needed in this part of the state. (5) The above change of circumstances were taken into consideration in estimating the costs while benefits were held constant. The District Plan was found to be economically feasible. (6> There has not been any change of circumstances which would cause the District to be no longer of benefit. The committee will offer the following arguments in opposition to Hamilton’s September reasons. (i> The decision of the Court is contrary to law. (a) The decision of the Court rendered September 18, 1973 is contrary to law for the reason that more than fifty-one per cent of the land owners affected by the conservancy district filed and signed the petition to dissolve the conservancy district. (b) The Court in its findings made no finding as to whether funds were available or had been made available at the time of the filing of the petition to dissolve or at the time of the hearing which was a material issue raised by the petitioners’ Exceptions to the

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Report of the Natural Resources Commission of the Department of Natural Resources of the State of Indiana. That evidence was produced sufficient to overcome any prima facie finding on the Commission’s report showing that no funds were available. (c> The evidence conclusively shows that it has been more than two years since the district was established and there has not yet been approved and formulated a definite and workable work plan. (2) The decision of the Court is contrary to the evidence. (a) The evidence shows that no funds are available for the construction of the district. (b> The evidence shows that no acceptable work plan has been formulated and approved since the establishment of the district in 1966-69. (c) There is no evidence to show that additional recreational facilities are needed in this part of the state. (d) The evidence shows that construction costs have increased since the establishment of the district in 1966-69 sufficiently to cause the district plan to be no longer economically feasible. (e) The evidence shows that land costs have risen since 1966-69 sufficiently to cause the district plan to be no longer economically feasible. (f> There is no evidence to show that benefits from the project will equal or exceed the 1966-69 estimates. (g> There is no evidence to show that the project is feasible; on the contrary, there is evidence to show that it is not economically feasible. (h) There has been such a change in circumstances that it would cause the district to be no longer of benefit. (3> The decision of the court is not supported by sufficient evidence. The purpose of the hearing Wednesday is to determine whether the committee will be granted a new trial. If Hamilton grants a new trial, the committee will petition for a change of judge to preside over it. If a new trial is not granted, the committee plans to appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court.

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Harry and Albert Leuteke, front, were guests of honor at a get-aquainted party Friday night at the Sunset Manor Nursing Home. The party was hosted by the Future Homemakers of America from Greencastle High School who have “adopted” the two brothers. Behind the Leutekes are, left to CAUTIONS NOTED

right, Maye Sutherlin, Marla Galloway, Mrs. Mishler, Michelle Evans, Vickie Renner, Julie Knauer, Elizabeth McClure, Kandee Michael, Lou Ann Green, Diane Green and Mr. Sutherlin. (Banner-Graphic Photo)

Moke Your Tree Safe For The Fiolidoy

“Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, how lovely are thy branches.” But dangerous, if they are not cared for properly. With this concern in mind, Putnam County Forestry Agent Forrest Miller recently offered information and advice to area residents about caring for their Christmas trees. “Most Christmas trees purchased and sold in Indiana are Scotch Pine, a two needle pine with needles two to three inches long. “Christmas trees are usually cut weeks ahead due to necessity. They ordinarily are safe if cared for properly as soon as they are purchased. “As a precaution test the needles of the tree that you are considering buying for flexibility by bending them between your Fingers. Brittle, non-flexible needles or dry needles are dangerous. “As soon as you get the tree home saw off one inch of the stump in order to open up any clogged pores. Keep the tree’s stump in a bucket of cold water in a cool, shaded placed until it is set up. “Then be sure that your

-jjiy m

} The first sale of the Sycamore Trails Arts and Crafts group turned out to be a great success. A spokesman for the group said, “All those who participated were real pleased and enthusiastic with the results. There was a

steady stream of customers Saturday afternoon right up until closing time.” So the Putnam County artisans are off to a good start. (Banner-Graphic Photo)

Christmas tree holder has an adequate size water container to accept the stump. It should be at least a one quart container, as a good, fresh tree might use a pint of water a day. “Keep the water tank refilled and do not place the tree near a radiator or heat duct. “Thoroughly check all the electrical lighting fixtures. “If all this is done, then the tree should be perfectly safe. “There is also a good idea for using the tree after Christmas. “After Christmas wire the discarded tree to a rose trellis outside or sink the stump into the ground. It will make an ideal bird feeding station for weeks.” Miller has tried this idea out himself, last year using the tree in this capacity until March. “The birds love the wind protection. If a few pieces of suet are wired to the limbs, or a few small cuts of either peanut butter or bacon grease filled with bird seed, this will add to the attraction. “Place the new feeding station in front of your picture window, so you can enjoy watching the birds.” But in the meantime, when going out to buy their trees, when storing them for the holidays, and when setting them up, Putnam County residents are advised to heed the advice of their forester. Private Bob Elmore from the Greencastle Fire Department had some other suggestions to reduce the chance of Christmas tree fires. First of all, he gave a recipe to help fire-proof the tree. Mix nine ounces of borax, four ounces of powdered boric acid, one-half tablespoon of low sudsing detergent and one gallon of warm water. Dip or spray the tree with the mixture and let it stand outside overnight. “This fire proofs the tree by increasing the ignition temperature and retards the burning of it should it happen to catch fire despite this precaution,” said Elmore. “Normally a tree can burn up in only a few seconds.” He also suggested using the miniature lights instead of the larger lights on the tree because the miniature lights give off less heat. “Check to be sure the wiring of the

Christmas tree lights is good.--no cracked insulation or broken holders,” he added. Aetna Life and Casualty Insurance Co. also offer some hints for a safer holiday season: -If your tree has been professionally “flameproofed,” test it. Break off a small dry branch and take it to a safe, outdoor location. Place the branch in a verticle position and hold a lighted match so that the flame makes contact with the needles on the lower end of the branch. If the branch ignites beyond the contact area, your tree is not flame proof. * Keep the tree fresh. “Fireproofed” or not, all natural trees should be kept as moist as possible. Buy a fresh tree and keep it outdoors until it is needed. Don’t purchase a tree with brittle or shedding needles. Better still, cut your own tree-just before you’re going to put it up in the house. * As soon as you get the tree home, cut off the end of the trunk diagonally at least one inch above the original cut. Stand the tree in a container of water and keep it in a cool place. Sprinkle the branches frequently until you bring the tree indoors. * In the house, keep the tree in water at all times and remove it from the house before the needles dry out. Your tree should not be kept around after New Year’s under any conditions. * Keep flame and heat away. Most people know better than to place their tree before an operating fireplace. But also be sure that radiators, heating stoves, radios and television sets are well away. * Keep it upright. Make sure your tree is sturdily supported, indoors and outdoors. Buy a tree stand the appropriate size for your tree. And if your tree is natural, buy one with a deep well for water. * Artifical trees can burn, too. If you buy a plastic tree, buy one labeled “fire- retardant.” * About decorations. Use only electric lights that are labeled by a recognized testing laboratory. Check all strings of lights to make sure they are in good condition, with no frayed cords. If the

China Authority At DePauw U.

lights are placed on metal trees, make sure the tree is grounded. * Never leave lights burning when no one is at home. Unplug lights before going to bed. * If the needles near the lights start to brown, move the lights. If you expect to keep the tree inside more than a few days, do not keep the lights on for more than half an hour at a time. * Keep other decorations as fire safe as the tree. If you put lights in the windows, keep curtains pulled back at least six inches from lights. Never leave them on when no one is at home. * Don’t use candles. * Keep all decorations away from sources of flame or heat. Try to hang your decorations from the ceiling, above peoples’ heads. Keep them away from chairs or any other place where people may smoke. * Try to buy noncombustible materials. Such things as manger scenes covered with untreated cotton “snow” or hay-filled mangers can be real fire hazards. * Dispose of wrapping paper quickly. If you open your presents under the tree, remove discarded papers and ribbons as soon as possible. Don’t burn the paper and boxes in the fireplace-take them outside and put them in a closed trash container. * If you want more advice, don’t be afraid to ask. If you’re in charge of Christmas decorations for an office or other public place, find out what your state or local fire laws permit. Your local fire marshall will know and will be glad to answer any questions you have about the safety of Christmas decorations.

An authority on the Peoples’ Republic of China and agrarian land reform there, William H. Hinton, will lecture two days at DePauw University, beginning Dec. 6. Among the first Americans to spend a prolonged period in China in 1971, Hinton is appearing at DePauw under the auspices of the department of history and the Student Senate. He will discuss “The Continuing Revolution in China” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday (Dec. 6) and then participate in panel and informal discussions at 9 and 10 a.m. Dec. 7. The public lecture is scheduled in Meharry Hall, and the two later public sessions in Room 315, Asbury Hall, and the CAM Building respectively. Hinton spent seven months in China in 1971, touring agricultural communes and universities. It was for the Pennsylvania author-lecturer the fourth trip to China and the first since 1953 when he completed a six-year period as a tractor technician for the U.N. Relief & Rehabilitation Administration in north China. It was during that six-year period as a member of a work team in the village land reform program and teaching courses in English that Hinton observed Mao’s rise to power. He drew on this personal involvement to write

“Fanshen,” which has been called a classic documentary on the agrarian revolution in China in which landless peasants gained land, stock, implements and houses. When Hinton returned to the United States in 1953, during the McCarthy era, his notes for “Fanshen” were confiscated by customs officials. They were later impounded by the Senate Internal Security Committee. “Fanshen” was eventually published 15 years later. Hinton first visited China in 1937. He returned in 1945 as an analyst for the U.S. Office of War Information and again in 1947 under the auspices of the U.N. Firemen Called To Avenue B Greencastle firemen made their 198th run of the year to 1033 Avenue B at 10:15 p.m. Sunday. They reported that a 1962 Ford owned by Daniel Buchanan was smoking from overheated oil due to a faulty fan belt. There was no fire and no damage was reported by the firemen who returned to the station at 10:35 p.m.

Pianist Sherman In Meharry Hall Recital

Pianist Glen Sherman will give a recital at DePauw University Wednesday (Dec. 5)at 7:30 p.m. in Meharry Hall. The recital will mark the 25th anniversary of Sherman’s initial performance in Meharry Hall when he first appeared there as a member of DePauw’s School of Music faculty. Sherman made his debut in London’s Wigmore Hall in 1936 and has since played in most of the principal cities in Europe and America. In a recent concert in San Francisco, “Chronicle” critic Alfred Frankenstein wote: “...The poetry of Schubert, the virtuoso brilliance of Liszt, the color-comedy of Scarlatti, and the profundities of Bach pose no mysteries to Sherman’s keen musical intelligence. He knows the literature, he knows the traditions of the literature; he is a polished and knowing and sensitive artist.” Sherman’s program at DePauw Wednesday features Spanish music of Granados, five Preludes by Rachmaninoff, plus works by Scarlatti,

Schumann, and Bach. No admission will be charged for the Meharry Hall Please turn to page 2, col. 3

Glen Sherman

Tigers Face Millikin

DePauw’s Tigers will entertain Millikin University’s basketball team tonight at 7:30 in Bowman Gymnasium. DePauw enters the game

coming off a 81-62 opening game slicing of Centre College. For further details, see the sports page.

Tax Payers Urged To Pay Taxes

Putnam County Treasurer Jewel Blue has announced

that his office has 58 county personal property tax statements, other than mobile home, that are at least 16 months delinquent. If these statements are not brought in soon, the delinquent tax payers will be sent notices that they will be subpoenaed to court. After 15 days from the time

that the notices are received, if the taxes still have not been paid, court action will ensue. What this means to the delinquent tax payer is that he automatically incurs the $27.50 court cost, and if the Please turn to page 2, col. 4