The Independent-News, Volume 104, Number 5, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 6 July 1978 — Page 4

THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS — JULY 6, 1978

EDITORIALS

REVOLT OR NONSENSE? A couple of weeks ago in one of his syndicated columns, Sydney J. Harris wrote that there were two things that people always thought they could do better, but they certainly could not. One of those was to write better tax laws. This was written not in conjunction with Proposition 13 in California, but before that election out on the coast where they taxpayers voted the property taxes down in what the media likes to publicize as “a taxpayers revolt”. Proposition 13’s popularity in California has been kind of a warning to all states and certainly the legislators around the country have to have at least some concern over this if not almost fear. However, when closely scrutinized. Proposition 13 is going to “cost” a lot of Californians rather than save for them. Taxes are designed and put into law by legislators representing the people from their local area to a nationwide basis. Despite the fact that tax laws are not very popular in most parts simply because they are going to cost the public money, they do cover a pretty wide scope, the representation of the people through the individuals that bind together in a governmental body and draw these laws up, covers all people in the country. Sure, most people feel that some taxes are unfair. And yet, there will be someone else who would feel the same tax laws you and I might feel unfair, are very just, and taxes that we agree with, they might feel unfair. You can always get stories about how this individual or this large company is beating the taxes here and there .. . but you can’t get a story w here everyone is beating the same tax altogether. Personal opinions on taxes depend on the individual. For instance, a person who drives none or very little could care less about gasoline tax. And the person who is not effected by the so-called “sin taxes”, cigarettes and liquor, would never object to those going higher. Many people receive “breaks” on property taxes if they are renters and not property owners, while others get breaks here and there for personally related taxes that don't take money out of their pockets. But by and large, the broad scope the legislators cover, regardless of who the pressure groups might be here and there, take in a fair representation and effect everyone in a pretty good manner. Certainly there are some taxes that aren’t as good as others, but overall, the public couldn’t write better tax laws. Proposition 13 has the California legislators worrying and looking to see where the moneies needed to operate their various forms of tax supported programs will come from. With their property taxes being whittled, very possibly so will their education program be whittled. This would be true in most areas as property taxes are a major form of support for education. Very possibly if any state were to face a referendum on the ballot that stated taxes would be cut, a good voter turnout would be the result with the public unknowingly supporting such a vote simply because they aren’t aware of all the consequences. The way our tax laws are formed now might not be perfect, but until a better way comes along, they certainly are not all that bad. WHEN—(TAKEN FROM THE FILES OF THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS)

1973 Skylab watchers will be interested to know that if the weather is right, you may see Skylab, like a fast moving star, when it appears on the horizon from the northwest to the northeast on July 4. at 9:42 p.m.; July 5, at 8:57 and again at 10:34 p.m. and on July 6 at 9:50 p.m. On Thursday evening the two times it will be set right for the naked eye to see over the area the first time the Skylab will be traveling from northwest to east and at 10:34 from the northwest to the southeast. Forty-six members and guests of the Walkerton Woman's Community Club recently enjoyed a very delightful evening for the anniversary party. Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Kronk celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary with a surprise party given in their honor by their neighbors, relatives and many friends. 1963 The referendum vote Saturday to include Johnson Township, LaPorte County, into the present Polk-Lincoln United School Corporation was overwhelmingly accepted as a total of the three townships voted 797 yes votes and only 85 no votes. This include Johnson Township in the new corporation as of now with their trustee, Harold Knowlton, being added to the school board upon Saturday’s election. A damage suit tor $30,000.00 against the Town of Walkerton was dropped in Indianapolis at the Indiana Appellate Court because an

injured man did not file a written notice within 60 days after an accident in which he was hurt. Frank March, who suffered an electrical shock on September 2, 1957, had claimed negligence in the operation of the municipal electrical system. However, when no written notice was filed with the mayor or city clerk by registered mail within 60 days of the jujury, March could not sue the Town. A 6.845 acre section of the Kingsbury Ordnance Plant area was made by the Federal Government recently and was purchased by the Exchange National Bank, of Chicago. The purchase was made for $1,612,010. The Bank is acting as an agent for clients seeking purchase of this property. Touring the Nation's Capital last week with 30 Indiana Future Farmers and Future Homemakers of America was Donald Thomas, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Thomas, Route 3, Walkerton. All of the young Hoosiers were selected on the basis of their being outstanding members of Indiana FHA and FFA organizations. Don is state FFA reporter. 1958 Games played at Place Park on the 4th of July included girls and boys tricycle races; chicken race; obstacle races; yarn race; 50 yard dash; 25 yard dash; kangaroo race; stepping stone; backward race; potato sack race; bicycle races and bubble blowing contests. The Junior League All-Star game was played on the Fourth of July with the American Legue topping

■ On occasion, a government agency succeeds in “putting one over" on the public because a proposal is so complex that it defies understanding. A good case in point is something called the Residual Oil Equalization Entitlements Program. It has been in effect for several years and the Department of Energy recently announced proposed changes. The program itself is bewildering in its complexity. Few people outside the departments regulatory di vision and some oil industry experts even begin to understand the scheme, but it goes something like this: During the oil embargo of 1973 and 1974, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries virtually quadrupled the selling price of oil they sell. This was a real blow to American consumers, but particularly to those refiners or other major users who had developed an appetite for Arab oil because it had been much cheaper than domestic oil. This was true in the Northeastern states, where electric generating stations relied upon imported residual oil —a very heavy grade of oil. The federal government devised the equalization entitlements program —a very complicated scheme that involved transfer of oil “on paper" — as a means of equalizing the price of domestic and imported residual oil. In effect, consumers of domestic residual oil are subsidiz-

the National Leaguers by a score of 22-14. Each team had 14 players see action. The teams were picked by the league head by the batting averages compiled. A series of break-ins over the Fourth of July has amounted to damages of $600.00 or more as vandalism and destruction to property constituted the bulk damage. Intentions of finding money was the motive for the break-ins. The boys, all local, are ages 9, 10 and 15. 1948 Wouldn’t it be grand to live in Walkerton without flies? It is possible, say the Lions Club enthusiasts who are out to rid the town of all flies. Work will begin of the spraying all the streets and alleys in Walkerton, also Place Park and the city dump. At the market picnic hams are 55 cents a pound; slicing bologna at 43 cents a pound; ground beef at 59 cents a pound; fully dressed frying chickens at 75 cents a pound; skinless frankfurters at 55 cents a pound; cabbage at two pounds for 25 cents; tomatoes at 23 cents a pound; potatoes at 20 pounds for 59 cents; 6 packages of Kool-Aid for 25 cents; ice cream cones, package of 18 for 23 cents; candy bars and gum, all popular 5 cent bars are six for 25 cents; and two dozen of 9 inch papter plates for 25 cents. 1943 Some Walkerton muck farmers suffered a severe loss Tuesday night when a killing frost hit their corn, damaging some fields beyond recovery. A fire, thought to have started in the new hay, completely destroyed the barn and its contents of the Albion Swank home, south of Walkerton, early this morning. The loss included an old Model T Ford, a Chevrolet sedan, seven tons of hay and some small tools. A familiar sight on the streets of Walkerton and North Liberty though unusual in this age, came to an end Tuesday morning when State Police Warren Horton, driv-

Capitol Commentary Governor Otis R. Bowen

ing those who use imported residual oil. Now, for some reason, the Energy Department proposes to increase that subsidy. If the new proposal is adopted, Northeastern oil users will receive a half-billion-dollar subsidy from the remainder of the country, including Indiana. It is estimated that Hoosier consumers will be tapped for about sl3 million in higher petroleum costs. Politicians in New England are clamoring for the increase because they claim that their part of the country still is suffering. However, we have seen recent figures which show that Midwesterners are paying prices for residual oil that are just as high as those in the east. In other words. Hoosiers are being asked by the federal government to subsidize a problem that may not exist. The proposal has another bad effect. By subsidizing the Northeast, the nation will continue to subsidize the region's dependence upon Arab oil. That's dumb. It should be national policy to wean away New England from its dependence upon overseas sources, because that region remains vulnerable to embargoes or war. Instead. New England refiners and utilities should be under pressure to adjust their operations in a manner that lets them use domestic oil, or promotes alternate strategies, such as atomic power, coal and conservation.

ing north on Road 23, accidentally hit the faithful old horse belonging to Theodore Stoney, killing the animal outright. Mr. and Mrs. Stoney went often to the two towns in the horse and buggy which was noteworthy because of the scarcity of such conveyance. The horse was running loose along the highway and stepped in front of the troopers auto. A benefit Fireman’s Ball will be held at Ranbow Garden, Koontz Lake, on Friday, July 16, with all net proceeds going to the recently organized Koontz Lake Fire Department. "Moonlight is sculpture." Nathaniel Hawthorne

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